NDLEA arrests 60 ‘drug traffickers’ in Imo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested 60 suspected drug traffickers in Imo state.

Nse Inam, NDLEA commander in Imo, disclosed this during the international day against drug abuse and Illicit drug trafficking exercise in Owerri on Friday.

Inam said the UN general assembly through resolution 42/112 of Dec. 7, 1987, dedicated the day to tackling problems of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

He said the command had intercepted 646k hard drugs from the suspects adding that 4,784kg of cannabis sativa had been transferred by the federal government’s special border task force.

He listed cannabis sativa, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and tramadol as drugs confiscated by the command.

The commander explained that eight convictions were secured, 47 drug users, counselled, while 15 drug addicts were admitted for rehabilitation.

He said two of the admitted addicts had been successfully rehabilitated and discharged but five were terminated for different reasons.

“Now that normalcy is gradually returning to the state we hope to resume our activities in full gear to ensure that Imo is not a haven for illicit drug activities,” he said.

“We will beam our searchlight on patent medicine dealers so that they do not continue as active channels for the sale of Illicit substances.

“We will go after assets of illicit drug users and those who allow their property to be used for illicit business.

“To achieve this, we solicit more cooperation from the community and religious leaders, parents, guardians, the media, and indeed all Imo people.”

He, however, reiterated the command’s commitment to eradicate drug abuse and trafficking, seeking cooperation from relevant stakeholders.