The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has uncovered a secret arms fabrication and drug production centre in Uyo, arresting two individuals allegedly behind the operation.
DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement made available to reporters in Uyo on Monday. She said the raid was part of the command’s ongoing “Operation Zero Black Spots,” which targets criminal hideouts, illegal weapons production units, and drug distribution networks across the state.
John explained that acting on reliable intelligence, police operatives stormed a facility on Idem Street, off Itu Road, at around 9pm on Sunday. The location was reportedly being used to manufacture snacks, particularly chin-chin, laced with Indian hemp for distribution.
“On entering the premises, officers discovered that the facility was not only producing narcotic-laced snacks but also functioning as a clandestine workshop for manufacturing and modifying firearms,” she said.
During a detailed search, the police recovered eight refilled cartridges, six spent cartridges, a bag of gunpowder, refilling pellets, and a pack of striking pins. Other items seized included a rifle butt, filing, cutting and drilling machines, filing and cutting stones, assorted saws, two machetes, and a substance suspected to be cannabis sativa.
Additionally, packets of chin-chin reportedly mixed with cannabis, two pairs of black military boots, belts, a jacket, a laptop, and three live turtles thought to be used for ritual purposes were recovered.
John said preliminary investigations revealed that the main suspect, whose identity was withheld, is a graduate of Animal Science from the University of Uyo and allegedly runs the illegal operations. One of the suspects reportedly admitted to producing narcotic-laced snacks and modifying firearms, including shortening long guns for easier concealment.
The suspects remain in police custody, while investigations continue to track other members of the criminal network.
DSP John quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, reaffirming the command’s commitment to dismantle illegal arms workshops, drug networks, and other criminal enterprises that threaten public safety.
The commissioner also cautioned that anyone involved in such activities within the state would face the full force of the law