NDLEA arrests 288 drug offenders in Abia between January and June 2020

June 25, 2020 

By Ijendu Iheaka

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 288 drug offenders in Abia between January and June 2020, the state Commander has said.

The Abia Commander, Bamidele Akingbade disclosed this during a press briefing to mark the 2020 International Day Against Drug Abuse  and Illicit Drug Trafficking commemorated every June 25, in Aba on Thursday.

Akingbade said that this year’s theme is “Better Knowledge for a Better Care” which aims at increased enlightenment to the world of the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking to ensure better care for drug dependent persons.

“This year we will not be organizing a rally in view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic which is currently ravaging the country and the state in order to comply with social distancing rules.

“Between January and June 2020, we have arrested 263 male suspects and 25 female suspects totaling 288 suspects.

“We have convicted 21 suspects while we have 35 pending cases in court.

“Four vehicles we impounded have also been finally forfeited to the federal government while two are under interim forfeiture for being used by the drug gangs”, he said.

“Within the period under review, we have seized almost 400 kg of illicit substances.

“We have seized 399.5 kg of illicit substances consisting of  347.420 kg of Cannabis, 0.086 kg of Cocaine and 0.210 of Heroin and 50.309 kg of psychotropic substances  and 2 kg of Monkey Tail.

“We have alerted the state government that during the lockdown, following the traveling restrictions, some of the criminals entered the state to start cultivation of Cannabis.

“We also discovered a Cannabis farm in Achara, Arochukwu local government area, although we are yet to ascertain the the number of acres, it covers, but we have got a sample of the plant”, he said.

Akingbade said the agency had also counseled about 66 drug dependent persons with 65 males and one female within the ages of 22 to 44 years at its rehabilitation Centre.

He lamented the take over of some secondary and primary schools in the state by criminal drug gangs following closure of schools because of COVID-19 infections.

He said the agency was doing its best to ensure such criminals were flushed out from the schools and from such market places as Ahia Ohuru, Ariaria Black Kingdom and the Milverton road Motor park.

He said that some suspects were arrested in Umuahia for engaging in drug businesses that ruin the lives of youths while warning youths to desist from use of drugs to save the state the problem of increased COVID-19 cases.

He warned that drug users do not have a good chance of surviving Coronavirus infection hence the need for drug dependent persons to desist from drugs which effects compounds COVID-19 infections.

Akingbade pleaded with the Abia government to assist the agency with  vehicles hindering the maximum operations to enable them reach many corners of the state where drugs are being done.

He also begged the state government for funding to ensure their rehabilitation Centre takes in more persons and avail more drug dependent persons of a better livelihood opportunity.