NDLEA Arrests 222 Suspects, Sizes 19.56kg Cannabis, Cocaine, Others in Ondo

Fidelis David in Akure

The Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday said that it has arrested 222 suspects and seized about 19.56 kilogram of psychotropic substance between June 2022 and June 2023.

The Ondo State Commander of NDLEA, Mr. Kayode Raji, stated this at a rally that was organised to celebrate this year’s United Nations International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking with the theme: “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.”

Raji, who gave the breakdown of seized illicit substances, said that cannabis sativa seizures measured 18.14kg , cocaine 823.5 grams, heroine 46.2grams, methamphetamine 242.9 grams, ‘skuchies’ 1328.8 kg, while monkey tail measured 75.5 kg and other drugs, 1010 grams.

The commander said that the total number of suspects arrested were 222 which were made up of 178 male and 44 females. Moreover, 111 suspects, consisting of 87 males and 24 females, received counselling.

He stressed that 26 hectares of cannabis sativa plantation were destroyed in the said period with 39 convictions secured and nine vehicles seized.

Raji said: “The joy is not in reeling out the numbers; the joy actually is in totally suppressing drug dealing and consumption, which is why we are intensifying our efforts in ensuring that people are given counselling, rather than just arresting.

“So we go to schools, we go to motor parks, even schools to let them know the evil of drugs and when we do this the demand for drug is low.

“The command is ever ready to frontally confront these merchants of death and make the state drug-free. A drug-free state is a crime-free state. My charge to them is to quit the business or quit the state.

“In Ondo State’ command, activities marking the day has commenced since Monday, June 19, 2023 with series of rallies at motor parks, markets and okada parks across the state, especially in Ikare Akoko, Ondo, Ifon, Idoani, Ore and Owo.

“Dignitaries and stakeholders including traditional rulers, local government chairmen, schools, religious leaders, opinion leaders etc. were visited and their commitments to the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) extracted,” Raji added.