NDLEA
By Benson Ezugwu
Calabar, June 26, 2019 (NAN) The Commander, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Cross River, Mrs Anthonia Edeh, said the command arrested 152 persons for drug related offences in the last one year.
Edeh disclosed this on Wednesday in Calabar at the commemoration of this year’s United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Calabar.
“During the period between last year’s celebration and now, the NDLEA Cross River command has also seized a total of 912.33kgs of cannabis sativa, 167 grammes of cocaine, 265 grammes of heroin and 2.184 grammes of psychotropic substances from drug suspects.
“We also secured convictions of 46 drug suspects at the Federal High Court Calabar for drug related offenses, ‘’ Edeh said.
According to her, the command destroyed 10 hectares of farmland used for cultivation of cannabis sativa at Esuk-Odot village in Odukpani Local Government Area of the state.
She said that out of the 152 drug suspects arrested within the period under review, 140 were male and 12 female, adding that 106 drug dependent persons were also counseled.
“We also carried out anti-drug campaigns as well as enlightenment lectures to various groups, especially students and youths who are the most vulnerable group in drug abuse,‘’ she said.
The commander said that the agency was taking concrete steps in trying to end the menace of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state.
She said that this year’s theme, “Health for Justice; Justice for Health’’ emphasised on comprehensive approach to drug prevention and treatment and the need to integrate questions of justice and health.
The UN international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking is celebrated on June 26 every year to create awareness on the dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking. (NAN)
BEN/ZGA/IS
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Edited by Zainab Adamu/Ismail Abdulaziz