Fake codeine manufacturers nabbed in Bauchi

From Ahmad Mohammed, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested Emmanuel Patrick and Victor Oguwu for allegedly manufacturing fake drugs.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kamal Datti Abubakar stated this in Bauchi over the weekend when he paraded the suspects at the State Police headquarters together with 54 other suspects who were arrested for committing various criminal offences ranging from armed robbery, thuggery to cattle- rustling.
Abubakar said that following a credible intelligence, a raid of black
spot by the police was carried out at Gwallameji area of Bauchi, where the fake drug manufacturers who specialise in producing local Codeine were arrested at Las Pascal Lodge in the area.
He said exhibits recovered from the two fake drug manufacturers include 71 bottles of locally produced Codeine, 30 bottles of Tutolin, 1 cartoon of ORS used for Codeine production, 1 pot of Codeine already made awaiting refilling, 100 empty scavenged bottles, 60 bottles top cover and 120 product name tags.
Speaking with one of the suspected fake drug manufacturers, Victor Achunam, said that he was a victim of a set-up, citing that he had paid N140,000 for the supply of genuine drugs, but fake drugs were sent to him which led to arrest.
“I don’t manufacture drugs, these drugs were sent to me. I think I am a victim of setup because I paid N140,000 two weeks ago for the consignment, only for these things to be sent to me.
“The drugs came to me in uncorked bottles. But when I called to find out why it was so, the supplier denied that they were fake drugs.
Although I am aware that it may be harmful, I wanted to sell the drugs to recover my money. I beg for amnesty; I won’t do it again because I am wiser now,” he said.
Police Spokesperson said that 46 notorious Sara-Suka thugs were arrested during the raids carried out by a combined effort of the command Tactical team of operation Puff Adder, adding that 33 were charged to court while 13 are still in police custody.