Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested a suspected illicit drug peddler who disguised himself as a dispatch rider, recovering a large quantity of restricted tramadol and uncovering another cache of suspected methamphetamine during a coordinated early-morning patrol in Enugu metropolis.
The arrest was carried out by officers of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Squad on Saturday, January 18, 2026, at about 6:13 a.m., during routine security surveillance around the Uwani area of the state capital.
The suspect, identified as Desmond Obodo Chilota, a 27-year-old male, was intercepted while conveying the illicit drugs on a red Kymco motorcycle under the guise of a dispatch rider. Both the motorcycle and the drugs were recovered at the point of arrest.
In a related development during the same patrol, at about 7:12 a.m., police operatives discovered an abandoned bag at Onu-Asata, Ogui area of Enugu, containing substances suspected to be crystal methamphetamine, locally known as “Mkpuru-mmiri,” alongside an Android mobile phone. The suspected drug peddlers reportedly fled the scene upon sighting the police.
Confirming the development in a statement on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Enugu State Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said investigations were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle the wider drug network.
“Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command, while on routine patrol, arrested one Desmond Obodo Chilota, who was disguised as a dispatch rider, and recovered a large quantity of highly restricted tramadol drugs from him, along with the motorcycle used in conveying the illicit substances,” Ndukwe said.
He added: “During the same operation, our operatives also recovered an abandoned bag containing substances suspected to be crystal methamphetamine and an Android mobile phone after the suspects fled on sighting the police.”
According to him, the arrested suspect and all recovered exhibits are currently undergoing further investigation, while efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to sustain intelligence-led operations and aggressive patrols to curb drug-related crimes and other criminal activities across the state.
“The Command remains committed to ridding Enugu State of drug peddlers and criminal elements. Members of the public are urged to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and supportive of the Police in the fight against crime,” Ndukwe stated on behalf of the Commissioner.
