Delta State Police Command has arrested 43 suspected drug dealers across various local government areas in the state. The suspects were apprehended during routine operations conducted between June 10 and June 15, 2024. Police recovered a cache of illegal substances, including 12 kg of cannabis, 3.2 kg of tramadol, and 850 grams of cocaine. Alongside the drugs, officers seized seven locally fabricated pistols, three AK-47 rifles, and 147 rounds of live ammunition. The weapons and drugs were recovered in separate operations in Warri South, Ughelli North, and Ethiope East.
Commissioner of Police, Samuel Ogbuku, confirmed the figures during a press briefing in Asaba on June 16, 2024. He stated, "These operations are part of our ongoing effort to disrupt criminal networks and restore confidence in our communities." Ogbuku added that all suspects would be charged with possession of prohibited substances and illegal firearms. The police command has also appealed to residents to provide intelligence on criminal activities in their neighborhoods.
The arrest of 43 suspected drug dealers in one week suggests organized distribution networks are active in Delta communities. Samuel Ogbuku's disclosure of AK-47s and homemade pistols points to a dangerous overlap between drug trafficking and armed criminality. For residents of Warri South and Ughelli North, this means the threat of violence linked to drug operations is not isolated but potentially escalating. Police success in one round does not erase the deeper challenge of preventing re-emergence.
