NDLEA arrests 124 men, 16 women, convicts 27 in Bayelsa in 2015

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said its command arrested over 140 suspects including women last year in Bayelsa State and its environs.
NDLEA said a total of 404.411kg of various types of hard drugs were also seized.

The command said a breakdown of the substance shows that Cannabis Sativa accounted for 400.683kg, Cocaine 0.062kg, Heroin 0.033kg and Psychotropic substances 3.633kg.
Also 16 litres of hard liquor including “goskorine”, “monkey tail” or “mukite “, a mixture of Cannabis Sativa and alcohol were also seized said to be worth N189,370. 00.
The command also said it has impacted positively by reducing the level of drug abuse by way of arrests, public enlightenment, rehabilitation and convictions in same year.
The command in a statement by spokesman, Ikenna Osakwe, Superintendent Principal Staff Officer, Public Affairs said out of the 140 arrested, 124 were male, while 16 are female suspects.
NDLEA said among the suspects were youths between the ages of 20-45 who peddled hard drugs.
Osakwe said sexhibit seized in the year amounts to over N2,839,959.95.
He said 27 convictions were secured while other cases are at various stages of prosecution.
“In 2015, a total of 96 drug dependent persons were counselled at the Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the Command,” he said, adding that 27 persons have successfully completed the three-month mandatory process of counselling, while I 2 are undergoing the process.
“We urge all residents of Bayelsa State to remain vigilant and report any incidences of illegal drug activities to the Command to safeguard the health and well-being of all members of the society, especially the children and youths who are supposed to be the hope of tomorrow. A generation of drug-blighted youths portends a very bleak future indeed,” he advised.