NDLEA Arrests 159 Drug Traffickers In Enugu

By Bimbo Ogunnaike

At least 159 illicit drug traffickers have been arrested in Enugu State by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from January to November 2019.

The command also disclosed that no fewer than 59 drug traffickers were convicted within the same period while others were at various stages of prosecution.

The NDLEA Commander in the state, Adeyemi Adeofe, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Enugu, added that the command recorded tremendous achievements in its efforts to reduce the scourge within the period under review.

He said that the command during the period seized 2.4kg of Cannabis Sativa, 100kg of Ephedrine, 836 grams of methamphetamine and 78. 9 grams of cocaine.

“We also discovered and dismantled a clandestine laboratory used in the production of methamphetamine,” he said.

Adeofe said that drug abuse has become a major social, health, economic and psychological problem in the country.

The commander urged the youths to stay away from drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in order to safeguard their future.

In a goodwill message, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi pledged the support of the state government in curbing illicit drug trafficking and abuse in the state.

Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Uwakwe Azikiwe, said that the rating of the state in the drug abuse chart in the South-East was not encouraging.

”Enugu State wants to be known for something positive and we shall give the command our maximum support to achieve this,” he said, adding that prevention of drug abuse was the responsibility of all including parents, society and peer groups.

The governor urged the youths not to succumb to the temptation of peddling or abusing drugs.