June 26, 2023

The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seized a total of 19.56kg of psychotropic substances between June 2022 and June 2023 in Ondo State.

The NDLEA Commander in Ondo State, Mr. Kayode Raji, stated this at a rally organised to celebrate the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Monday in Akure.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “People first: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, strengthen Prevention”.

The walk started from Police Officers mess, through NEPA roundabout, Cathedral to Alagbaka axis of Akure.

Giving a breakdown of the seized psychotropic drugs, Raji listed them to include 18.14kg of cannabis sativa, 823.5 grammes of cocaine 46.2 grammes of heroine and 242.9 grammes of methamphetamine.

Others are 1328.8kg of ‘skuchies’, 75.5kg of monkey tail with others illicit substances measuring 1010 grammes.

The commander said that the total number of suspects arrested during the period was 222, comprised of 178 males and 44 females.

Raji further said that the agency secured 39 convictions from the number of suspects prosecuted in court while nine vehicles were seized.

He also said that 26 hectares of cannabis sativa plantation was destroyed within the period in different parts of the state

Raji said that the NDLEA would continue to strive to ensure that abuse and trafficking in drugs was not attractive to the youths and populace in the country.

According to him, officers and men of the agency were resolute in combating the menace in society and those he called “death merchants” headlong.

“The joy is not in reeling out the numbers, the joy actually is in totally suppressing drug dealing and consumption which is why we are intensifying our efforts in ensuring that people are counselled, rather than just arresting.

“So we go to schools, we go to motor parks, even schools to let them know the evil of drugs and when we do this the demand for drug is low.

“The Command is ever ready to frontally confront these merchants of death and make the state drug-free,” Raji said.

He said that activities marking the day started since June 19 with series of rallies at motor parks, markets, and major roads in different parts of the state including Ikare Akoko, Ondo, Ifon, Idoani, Ore and Owo.

Raji solicited the support of traditional rulers, community leaders and religious leaders in combating the abuse and trafficking in drugs. (NAN)