Police arrest drug suspect, impound 300 vehicles in Gombe

The Gombe state police command says its operatives have arrested a suspected drug peddler and impounded over 300 motorcycles and tricycles as part of a statewide security operation.

In a statement issued on Monday, Buhari Abdullahi, police spokesperson in Gombe, said the clampdown targeted violators of traffic rules, criminal networks, and individuals in possession of dangerous weapons.

Abdullahi said Muhammad Ibrahim, a 26-year-old suspect, was found with 136 capsules of tramadol, 568 tablets of Valium 5, 226 wraps of Indian hemp, six bottles of an intoxicant known as “Kurkura,” and two litres of a polyethylene liquid locally called “Suck and Die.”

Abdullahi said operatives also recovered over N200,000 cash, and 102 packets of cigarettes were also recovered from the suspect.

The police spokesperson added that the operation also led to the recovery of over 500 knives, 148 cutlasses, and other sharp weapons from various locations across the state.

He stated that some of the weapons were traced to illegal fabricators and distributors.

He said over 220 motorcycles and 69 tricycles were seized for offences ranging from operating without proper registration and identification to using curtains at night, which the state government said could aid criminal concealment.

Abdullahi said 38 motorcycles were also impounded for using truck horns, which police described as a source of noise pollution and road accidents.

He said some of the recovered vehicles were linked to robbery and drug-related activities, adding that three suspects were arrested for tampering with the international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) numbers of stolen phones.

He said owners of the impounded vehicles have been directed to report to the command with valid documents.