Police Arrest University Graduate For Allegedly Running ∆rms Factory, Producing Cannabis-Laced Snacks
Police Arrest University Graduate For Allegedly Running Arms Factory, Producing Cannabis-Laced Snacks
The arrest followed a raid on a suspected criminal facility located on Idem Street, off Itu Road, Uyo, during an operation carried out around 9pm on March 15, 2026.
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a graduate of University of Uyo for allegedly operating an illegal arms fabrication workshop and producing narcotic-laced snacks in Uyo, the state capital.
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The arrest followed a raid on a suspected criminal facility located on Idem Street, off Itu Road, Uyo, during an operation carried out around 9pm on March 15, 2026.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John in a statement on Monday, stated that the raid was conducted as part of the police initiative known as “Operation Zero Black Spots,” aimed at dismantling criminal hideouts, illegal arms manufacturing centres and drug distribution networks across the state.
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Police said the operation was triggered by intelligence reports that illicit chin-chin snacks allegedly laced with cannabis were being produced and distributed from the location.
However, during the raid, officers reportedly discovered that the facility was also functioning as a clandestine workshop for the fabrication and modification of firearms.
Two suspects were arrested at the scene: Marsodi John and Koabasi Marsodi, also known as “Five.” Both are said to be indigenes of Uya Oron in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Police identified Koabasi Marsodi as the principal suspect, describing him as a graduate of Animal Science from the University of Uyo who allegedly ran the illegal operation.
According to the police, the suspect confessed during preliminary interrogation that he was involved in producing narcotic-laced chin-chin and illegally fabricating and modifying firearms, including cutting long guns into shorter weapons designed for concealment.
Items recovered from the premises included eight refilled cartridges, six expended cartridges, a bag of gunpowder, refilling pellets, striking pins, a rifle butt and several tools allegedly used for weapon fabrication such as filing, cutting and drilling machines.
Other items recovered were assorted saws, filing stones, two machetes, substances suspected to be cannabis, packets of chin-chin believed to be laced with the drug, a laptop computer, and two pairs of black military boots with belts and a jacket.
Police also said three live turtles suspected to be used for ritual purposes were found at the location.
According to the statement, the suspects are currently in police custody while further investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the alleged criminal network mentioned during interrogation.
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Baba Mohammed Azare, reiterated the command’s commitment to dismantling illegal arms manufacturing operations and drug distribution networks in the state.
