NDLEA arrests 66, destroys 36.7 tonnes of cannabis farm in Ondo

NDLEA arrests 66, destroys 36.7 tonnes of cannabis farm in Ondo

The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested 66 drug offenders in six months in Ondo.

The state commander of the agency, Mohammed Sokoto, disclosed this at a news conference to mark this year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Sunday in Akure.

The United Nations sets every June 26 to commemorate the event.

He said the agency seized 1348.62 kg of cannabis sativa and destroyed 367, 016kg (36. 7tons) of cannabis farms.

Mr. Sokoto said the agency would not relent in its effort to reduce the circulation of illicit drugs in the society.

“The impact of this constant awareness programme is reduction in abuse of drug. It is not based on number of seizure, but the pattern determines the success,’’ he said.

Mr. Sokoto also stated that 23 drug users had been counselled, while 7 clients were rehabilitated in six months.

He said Ondo State was famously known for the cultivation of cannabis, while the abuse was not prevalent in the state.

The NDLEA commander said sensitisation and enlightenment programmes were carried out in 18 primary and secondary schools with two tertiary institutions of learning.

He said the week-long event with the theme “Just Listen”, was to showcase the activities of the command in drug control.

In Jigawa State, the agency said it arrested 91 drug suspects between January and June 25 in the state.

The state Commandant of NDLEA, Abdullahi Abdul, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen to commemorate the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking in Dutse.

Mr. Abdul explained that within the period, a total of 1.296.078.9 tonnes of hard drugs and psychotropic substances were seized from the suspects in the state.

He said cannabis sativa also known as Indian hemp alone, measured 1.286.226.5 tonnes, while psychotropic substance which weighed 9.852.4kgs was recovered.
Mr. Abdul said that 51 of the suspects had been prosecuted in competent court of law in the state.

The commandant added that other suspects were standing trial at the Federal High Court in Dutse .

He stated that in the last six months, 62 drug addicts were counselled and rehabilitated by the command.

He said that drug abuse was a universal phenomenon which required concerted efforts, cooperation, and commitment of individuals, organisations and institutions to combat.

“The menace of drug scourge is dangerous because it cuts across age, sex, and various socio-economic backgrounds,” he said.

NAN