NDLEA Arrests 559 Drug Suspects, Secures 128 Convictions In Anambra

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Anambra State Command, has arrested 559 suspects and secured 128 convictions in its intensified crackdown on illicit drug trafficking and abuse across the state.

The State Commander, Charles Onubogu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Awka during a press briefing ahead of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, marked globally on June 26.

According to him, the arrests were made within the last 11 months and involved 475 males and 84 females linked to various drug-related offences.

Onubogu said the command also recorded significant seizures of illicit substances, recovering approximately 1.8 tonnes of different categories of drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis.

He described the development as a major breakthrough in the agency’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse in the state.

“Since I came into the command about 11 months ago, we have made seizures of more than a tonne of different categories of drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis.

“In all, about 1.8 tonnes of illicit substances have been recovered, with a total of 559 suspects arrested and 128 convictions secured within the last 11 months,” he said.

The commander further revealed that 102 persons struggling with substance abuse had undergone rehabilitation during the period under review. The beneficiaries comprised 99 males and three females.

He added that many of those rehabilitated were trained in vocational skills such as soap-making and tailoring to support their reintegration into society.

According to him, the command also provided counselling and intervention services to several other drug users.

Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks through arrests, investigations and prosecutions, Onubogu said NDLEA was equally focused on reducing drug demand through awareness campaigns, counselling and rehabilitation programmes.

He stressed that drug users should not be viewed as criminals but as individuals in need of support and treatment.

“What we are mainly after are drug dealers. People who use drugs have problems and we need to help them. They are taken through intervention and counselling programmes to guide them on how to stay off drugs.

“This year’s theme for the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, titled, ‘The World Drug Problem: Persistent Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses’, underscored the place of collaboration in fight against illicit drugs.

“The fight against drugs abuse and trafficking can’t be left to the NDLEA alone. All hands must be on deck to battle the scourge.

“The media, being a major stakeholder, civil society organisations and the public should use their various platforms to spread the message against drug abuse and reduce the menace in the society,” he added.

Onubogu also announced plans by the command to organise a road walk and other awareness activities to commemorate the global anti-drug campaign in Anambra State.

The briefing comes amid renewed efforts by the NDLEA to dismantle drug syndicates nationwide. Recently, the agency uncovered a multi-billion-naira clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Oyo State and arrested five suspects, including a Mexican national allegedly recruited to provide technical expertise for the illegal operation.