Olusegun Ariyo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says it has destroyed 30 hectares of cannabis sativa, otherwise known as Indian hemp, plantation in a forest in the Odukpani local government area of Cross River.
The state Commander of the NDLEA, Mrs Rachel Umebuali, said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Saturday in Calabar.
She said that some suspects were also arrested in connection with the destroyed plantation, expressing worry that the locals were protecting the drug merchants.
Umebuali said 163.9kg of cannabis sativa seed was recovered from the plantation.
She added that a total of 6,716.8kg of illicit drugs were seized by the command between January and June.
Giving the breakdown of the figures, she said the NDLEA seized 2935kg of cannabis sativa within the six months.
Others are, 129.6kg of methamphetamine, 82.7kg of psychotropic, 33.3 liters of cannabis mixture, 47.7kg of cocaine, 32.3kg of heroine, 69.7kg Opiod and babiturate, and 5gram Ecstasy drug.
Umebuali said the command also arrested 191 persons within the same period.
“15 persons were convicted for various offenses in the period under review,” she said.
According to her, what is worrisome in the findings is that most of these drug peddlers are not indigenous of the state.
“They come here and give money to the locals who protect them by not giving out information about their unholy activities.”
Umebuali said the command, with the active support of the state first lady, Mrs Eyoanwan Otu, successfully concluded this year’s drug day, which has as its theme: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest In Prevention.”
“We have also continued to carry out various advocacy programs in various institutions across the state, with the object of reducing the menace of drug abuse in society.
“Between January and June this year, we carried out 191 sensitisation outings to schools, marketplaces, churches, mosques, non-governmental organisations, amongst others,” she said.
Umebuali said the challenges of the command were underfunded and logistics.
