FCTA bursts drug cartel, arrests two

FILE PHOTO

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has burst a drug cartel, located around the Kubwa-Dutse road interchange, where two suspects were arrested and a substance believed to be cannabis worth 45kg was also seized.

The sting operation came immediately the team of FCT Ministerial taskforce on City Sanitation, concluded clean up at the Dutse market, got many passersby talking because the destroyed drug hideout was situated a few metres away from one of the Police stations along that axis.

Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Attah Ikharo, who led the operation, said the drug colony was exposed by security intelligence, warranting a marching order from FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello for its destruction.

Ikharo who expressed displeasure over the persistent lawlessness activities of some residents, the suspects and the siezed drugs have been handed over to the operatives of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.

He noted that the efforts have been intensified to track down all criminal elements, and everything that constitutes a security threat, through aggressive monitoring of all parts of Abuja.

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He also lamented the illegal activities of roadside traders which he said had returned to the Dutse market, after it was tackled some months ago.

According to him, the chaotic situation at the Dutse market which the FCTA invested so many resources and time to tackle, was beginning to return, due to the compromise of some market managers and unscrupulous officials.

While he described the situation as a ticking time bomb waiting to be detonated, he reiterated the administration’s determination to deal ruthlessly with all contravention and those promoting it.

Also speaking, the Deputy Director, Enforcement of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Kaka Bello, said the enforcement team won’t backtrack in its mission to restore environmental order to the city.

Bello noted that the destroyed drug colony is suspected to be managed by high profile drug syndicates, going by their confidence to peddle drugs in such a highbrow area.

He further added that the illegal activities constituting a nuisance, have persisted because the city was large and population growth surging high.

Lawrence Bajah