The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Imo State Command, has arrested 218 suspects and impounded 1471.314 kilogrammes of hard drugs in the state, since June 2021.
The State Commander, Reuben Apeh, disclosed this yesterday, while briefing newsmen in Owerri, to mark the 2022 International Day Against Drug Abuse and illicit Drugs Trafficking.
Apeh said out of the number of those arrested, 171 were male, while 47 were female. He stressed that many of the arrested suspects were arraigned and convicted for drug related offences at various courts.
The commander regretted that the use of illicit substance has been greeted with gory stories of all kinds of evil, ranging from violence, crimes, cultism, armed robbery and rape. He said the menace has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity in the state.
According to him, within the period covered, 51 suspects have been convicted while 146 cases were charged to court and the cases are still ongoing.
He said: “The United Nations had designated June 26, of every year as anti-drug day to create awareness of dangers of drug abuse in societies.
“Nigeria has not failed to be at the forefront of fighting the war against drug abuse and illicit trade.
“The drug situation in Imo State is worrisome, given the fact that even the women have joined the drug trade to address their financial needs.
“Also within the period under review, the activities of drug peddlers in Imo State have become so alarming and increasingly becoming sophisticated among the younger segments of the state population.
“Among exhibits siezed within the period under review are 0.10513kg of Cocaine, 0.2077kg of heroin, 3.896kg of methamphetamine, 3.184kg of tramadol and 0.5278kg of rohypnol, among others.”
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