LOperatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano State Command, have arrested a 37-year-old man in possession of 8,000 bottles of Akuskura, a locally made herbal mixture suspected to be laced with illicit substances, alongside 48 blocks of Cannabis sativa.
The arrest was carried out during a raid on the suspect’s residence and storage facility following credible intelligence reports. NDLEA officials disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the herbal drink had been fortified with psychotropic substances, making it potentially harmful to consumers.
State Commander of NDLEA, [Name], confirmed the operation, stressing that the agency remains committed to combating drug abuse and trafficking across the state.
“The proliferation of drug-laced herbal mixtures poses a serious threat to public health. This arrest is part of our ongoing crackdown on individuals and syndicates who endanger lives by producing and distributing such substances,” the Commander said.
The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
NDLEA reiterated its warning to the public against the consumption of uncertified herbal products, noting that many are often spiked with controlled substances to create addictive effects.
Analysts have observed that the abuse of herbal mixtures, especially among young people in northern Nigeria, has become an emerging trend, complicating the country’s fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
