The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, has intercepted 75,000 capsules of pregabalin, 556 bottles of codeine cough syrup, and quantities of cannabis sativa in the Badawa area of Kano.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday in Kano by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that pregabalin is an anticonvulsant and pain-relief medication. However, the NDLEA noted that in recent years it has become one of the most widely abused prescription drugs in Nigeria.

Reacting to the seizures, the NDLEA Commander in Kano, Mr. Dahiru Yahaya-Lawal, said the operation followed credible intelligence indicating that the illicit drugs were intended for distribution during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations.

“The operation disrupted what would have been a significant supply to illicit markets in the state,” he said.

The NDLEA added that the prime suspect connected to the drugs is currently at large and has been placed on the agency’s wanted list.

“This seizure is a serious blow to the cartel’s network and protects the good people of Kano from the harms of these illicit substances,” Yahaya-Lawal said.

He stated that the command remains committed to the directive of the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba-Marwa, to achieve a drug-free society and will not relent in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

He also commended members of the public for their continued cooperation with the agency and urged residents to provide useful information that could aid the fight against drug trafficking.

Yahaya-Lawal warned those involved in drug trafficking and related activities to desist, stressing that the agency would continue to pursue offenders and bring them to justice.