The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Enugu state command said at the weekend that it has arrested 116 suspects for being in possession of hard drugs.
The state commander, Abdul Abdulahi, who stated this at a one day workshop held Tuesday said out of the 116 suspects, 29 convictions were secured while 14 were undergoing rehabilitation at the command’s rehabilitation centres.
Abdulahi also stated that the command within the period under review confiscated 2.5 tons of Cannabis Sativa; 76.5 grammes of Cocaine; 3.44 grammes of heroine; 119.45 grammes of Methamphetamine and psychotropic substance.
Speaking at the workshop tagged, “Walk away from drugs: the need to mobilise stakeholders for collective action”, Abdullahi, said the aim of the workshop was to bring all stakeholders to collaborate and end the cases of trafficking by volunteering information as well as help to sensitise the general public on the dangers of drug use.
Abdullahi also said in spite of the concerted efforts of NDLEA in the anti-drug crusade, the incidence of drug abuse and trafficking appears to be making inroads as it threatens the foundation of the society.
He said: “The most disturbing has been the active involvement of the youths in the business,” adding that in the last one year, “the command has arrested a total of 116 suspects for various drug offences comprising 112 males and 4 females.”
He said the command also seized “2.5 tons of cannabis sativa, 76.5 grammes of cocaine, 3.44 grammes of heroine, 119.45 grammes of methamphetamine and 30 kilogrammes of psychotropic substances.”
The NDLEA commander stated that out of the 116 arrests, 29 convictions were secured while 14 clients are undergoing rehabilitation at the command’s centre. He advised that the best way of stopping drugs is by not starting at all.
In separate goodwill messages, stakeholders who were from various security agencies, traditional institutions, religious leaders, academy and government functionaries, stated that to eradicate drug abuse, the fight must start from the family by ensuring that “our children are well trained.”
The Nation