NDLEA Nabs 146 Suspects,Impound 225. 32Kg Hard Drugs In 2019

The Imo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday said a total of 146 Suspects were arrested in connection with drug related offences , saying it intercepted 225.32kg exhibits in 2019.

The Command  in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer , Mr Sampson Uche in Owerri , while presenting a review of the command’s performance in 2019, said the agency also counselled 48 Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) and rehabilitated five drug dependent persons.

He further said that the Command successfully convicted eight drug peddlers while conducting sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns in locations across the state including secondary schools, churches, communities, motor parks and via radio stations.

On behalf of the Command and state commander, Mr Nse Inam, we wish to thank the good and well-meaning compatriots for the good will and moral support which we enjoyed from them in year 2019.

“With your support, we were able to achieve great feats including the arrest of 146 suspects, seizure of 225.32 kg exhibits, counselling of 48 PWUDs, conviction of eight drug peddlers and rehabilitation of five drug dependent persons.

“The command hopes that with improved logistics and necessary infrastructure, we would do more to serve you better,’’ he said.

Uche disclosed that the command had a total of 55 drug cases pending in court as at Dec. 31, 2019 adding that the command was able to overcome challenges such as poor logistics and infrastructure decay.

He lauded the state residents for their cooperation and described them as ‘well-meaning compatriots’, adding that the successes of 2109 could not have been possible without the synergy between local communities and the Command.

He urged them to toe the same path in 2020 while assuring that the Command would continue to step up its efforts in the fight against illicit drugs.