NDLEA apprehends 239 drug traffickers in Akwa Ibom

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it had apprehended 239 drug trafficking suspects in Akwa Ibom State between July 2022 and May 2023.

The Commander of NDLEA in Akwa Ibom, Mrs Obot Bassey, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Uyo, said the suspects comprised 197 males and 42 females.

She said the command had secured 59 convictions of drug offenders during the period.

She added that the command seized drugs weighing 1,465.99kg and counselled 160 persons who used drugs and treated and rehabilitated 15 clients during the period.

Part of the text read, “From last year’s 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.

“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 state commander also listed the drugs commonly abused in the state to include; cannabis sativa, cocaine, heroin, meth and amphetamine, among other psychotropic substances.

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

The commander appealed to the state government, philanthropists and all individuals to join hands with NDLEA to reduce drug abuse and trafficking.

She also called on the state government to assist the command with utility vehicles to patrol the 31 local government areas, especially border areas, to curb drug trafficking.