NDLEA Nabs 239 Suspected Drug Traffickers, Secures 59 Convictions

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has busted several syndicates trafficking and abusing hard drugs of various hue including cocaine, cannabis sativa, heroine, methamphetamine, and arrested no fewer than 239 suspects between July 2022 and May 2023 in Akwa Ibom State.

The state commander of NDLEA, Mrs Obot Bassey, who briefed journalists in Uyo, the state capital to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, gave the breakdown of those apprehended as 197 males and 42 females.

Of the 239, Obot said the command secured 59 convictions and seized drugs weighing 1,465.99kg, with 160 on counseling list, while 15 drug abusers were treated and rehabilitated during the period.

She said, “From last year celebration till this moment, NDLEA Akwa Ibom State Command has been committed to saving humanity through its mandate of eliminating illicit drugs from homes and streets through arrests, seizures of illicit drugs and prosecution of drug dealers, preventive mechanisms of campaign and awareness creation on the consequences of illicit drugs abuse.

“From July 2022 to May 2023, the state Command arrested a total of 239 suspects made up of 197 males and 42 females. Seized drugs weighing 1, 465.99 kg, convicted 59 drug offenders. The drug commonly abused in the state include; cannabis sativa, cocaine, heroine, methamphetamine among other psychotropic substances,” she stressed.

She said prevention is a vital tool against drug abuse, assuring that sensitisation and campaign would be used by the command to reduce drug abuse to the barest minimum in the state.