NDLEA arrests186 drug suspects in Cross Rivers – State Commander
By; Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar.
A total of 186 drug suspects were arrested by the Cross River State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in 2015, the state commander, Mrs. Anthonia Edeh has said.
She disclosed this in an interview with New Nigerian Newspapers in her office in Calabar.
She also revealed that a total of 368, 908 kilograms of various categories of hard drugs were impounded across the state.
Edeh said that out of the number arrested, 169 were males while 17 were females.
A breakdown of the drugs seized includes 368,479 cannabis sativa; 43,601 grams of cocaine; and 9 grams of psychotropic substance, she said.
She further stated that the Federal High Court in Calabar in the year under review convicted 54 suspects to various terms of imprisonment, ranging from 1 to 15 years, for drug related offenses.
Edeh said that the Command carried out counseling and sensitisation programmes to members of the public in public places including schools, motor parks and markets.
As a result, she said 99 clients were counseled and reintegrated into the society while the public were sensitised on the inherent dangers of drug abuse and the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
She appealed for support from state Government and other relevant stakeholders in the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state.
According to her “there is also the need for the citizens to furnish the agency with information on illicit drug activities in the state”, she said.
Edeh said her “Command will intensify its effort in the fight against illicit drug trafficking in the state in this year”.
