The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, said it arrested 220 suspected drugs barons between February and June, 2024, in the state.
Newspot reports that the state Commander of the agency, Mr Callys Alumona, disclosed this during an event held to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking in Benin City.
He added that the agency secured 18 convictions while the trial of 115 suspects are currently ongoing at the Federal High Court in Benin City.
He also disclosed that, out of four drug barons on the watchlist of the agency, two have been arrested and prosecuted, while the remaining two are being tracked.
According to him, a total of 1,676,994 kilogram of hard drugs were seized.
Alumona, also added that 14 cannabis farms measuring a total of 18.5 hectares, and approximately 46,251.433kg of the substance were destroyed within the period.
He explained that as part of the rehabilitation and counselling program of the agency, 154 suspected drug addicts were counseled, while eight of them were indoor clients.
“It is interesting to note that our efforts in eradicating substance use in Edo state especially Ihama road, Boundary road, TV Road, Sapele road axis of Benin, Ekpoma, Uromi, Auchi, Igarra, Abudu and others are yielding positive results,” he stated.
He, however, listed inadequate functional operational vehicles and unwillingness to volunteer credible information by members of the public, as the challenges confronting the agency.
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