NDLEA Seizes 115,226 Kg Of Hard Drugs, Apprehend 149 In Ebonyi

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Ebonyi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, said within the third quarter ended September, 2024, it arrested 149 suspects in connection with hard drugs trafficking and consumption in the State.

Similarly, a total of 115,226 kilograms of banned substances were seized within the same period.

This much was revealed on Wednesday October 16, 2024 by the State Commander, Peter Ogar, while briefing the media on the activities of Command.

According to him, the number of arrests and seized drugs were from across the State.

Out of the 149 arrested persons, 112 are male while 37 women are involved.

The arrested suspects all fall within the age brackets of between 26 and 72 years .

They were severally and collectively arrested for their suspected involvement in hard drugs trafficking ,and consumption.

The NDLEA Command stated that the intercepted hard drugs include  crack cocaine , Cannabis   Sativa, codeine syrups and tramadol tablets and capsules .

Others, he said are methamphetamine, bromazepam, diazepam ,Lorazepam ,Monkey tail and others .

While noting that it successfully secured the conviction of one person, the Command said its priority is  in educating and sensitizing the people, particularly the youth on the imperativeness of shunning hard drugs trafficking and consumption.

According to Ogah, various awareness programmes were held for the youths, students in both primary and secondary schools and  community leaders across the state within the last few months

He said the emphasis is on pulling the youths who are perceived as the most vulnerable to drug abuse out of the dangerous habit.

Part of the engagement process, he noted, were provision of counseling services to those who are involved in drug related problems.

Within the period under review the Ebonyi NDLEA boss said about 82 persons,64 male and 18 female benefitted from the counseling and rehabilitation programmes.

He reassured of the commitment of the Command towards combating drugs trafficking and consumption in the state .

He appreciated other sister regulatory bodies and security agencies for their collaborative efforts and support.