NDLEA Records 262 Arrests, Destroys 8 Hectares Of Cannabis Farms In Cross River

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Cross River State arrested 262 drug offenders between November 2025 and May 2026.

The state commander Anteyi John, disclosed this yesterday in Calabar to journalists.

He said the statistics were released  to mark the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, adding that the suspects comprise 207 males and 55 females.

“The arrests form part of the command’s intensified crackdown on narcotics distribution across the state,” John stated.

A breakdown of seizures given by the commander shows operatives intercepted 6,397.5kg of Cannabis Sativa, 1.465kg of cannabis seeds, 60.4grams of cocaine, 20.17grams of heroin, 778.64grams of methamphetamine, and 166.3kg of psychotropic substances.

“The total quantity of drugs seized within the period under review is 6,575.009kg,” the Command stated, adding that the haul represents one of the largest drug interdictions recorded by the state command in recent years.”

The Command also intensified its campaign against illicit cultivation, destroying large cannabis farms in Akamkpa to keep the local government area and the state safe.

The commander said that on  April,  7, 2026 and again on  April 25, 2026, about 8 hectares of cannabis cultivation farms were destroyed at Uyanga Community in Akamkpa.

He added that the operations were aimed at “cutting off local supply chains and discouraging farmers from engaging in drug cultivation.”

He averred that in the area of prosecution, the NDLEA legal unit secured 28 convictions comprising 20 males and 8 females within the seven-month period.

The commander added that “132 cases are at various stages at the High Court,” while “61 cases have been charged” by the legal unit stressing that the ongoing prosecutions are expected to strengthen deterrence and reinforce the agency’s zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking.

Beyond enforcement, the Command reported gains in rehabilitation and demand reduction.

The counselling unit successfully counselled 138 persons, including 106 males and 32 females, to support recovery and reintegration.

The agency also scaled up sensitisation under its War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, initiative, carrying out 99 programmes across schools, communities, and workplaces.

“Through education, prevention, rehabilitation, community engagement, and effective law enforcement, we can reverse this trend,” John said. He noted that 156,556 persons were reached, comprising 67,593 males and 88,963 females.

Marking the UN Day, the commander called on residents to take ownership of the fight against substance abuse.

“As we commemorate the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, let us renew our commitment to building a society where young people can thrive free from the influence of illicit drugs,” he said.

He warned that “drug abuse destroys dreams, weakens families, fuels crime, and undermines development.”

In her remarks, state chairperson of the Cross River State Drug Control Committee who is also the wife of the governor, Mrs. Eyoawan Bassey Otu, promised to intensify advocacy on drug abuse and peddling, urging “all hands to be on deck” in the fight against drug addiction.