Troops of the 144 Battalion under Operation Eastern Sanity have carried out a coordinated raid at a Mammy market in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
The operation followed reports of alleged crude oil bunkerers, illegal petrol dealers, pipeline vandals, and drug traffickers operating within the market and nearby bushes.
During the raid, 21 suspected drug traffickers were arrested.
The intelligence-led operation was conducted jointly with personnel of the Nigerian Navy Component and the Nigerian Air Force 511 Quick Response Group.
The development was confirmed in a statement by Mazinho Attah.
According to the statement, troops surrounded and searched the market as well as nearby hideouts believed to be criminal bases.
The operation reportedly led to the recovery of large quantities of Indian hemp, rizzlers, suspected hard drugs commonly known as “ice,” and the sum of N103,000 from the suspects.
The statement added that the suspects are currently in custody undergoing preliminary profiling before being handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The military also stated that patrols and security operations will continue across the area to prevent criminal activities and deny criminals freedom of operation.
