The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Akwa Ibom State Command said it has impounded a total of 600kg of Illicit Drugs which include Cannabis sativa, Cocaine, Heroin and Psychotropic substances between July 2020 and June 2021.
This showed an increase in the number of seizures of Illicit drugs in 2021 compared to July 2019 to June 2020 data which was 562kg
The Command added that it has convicted 21 persons who engaged in various drug offences.
The State Commander of NDLEA, Mrs Obot Bassey, who disclosed this on Monday during a media briefing to mark the 2021 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Uyo Akwa Ibom State noted that the Command arrested 244 suspects in the year under review.
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She explained that out of the 244 suspects arrested, 214 were males and 30 were female suspects adding that the command has 23 ongoing cases at different levels of prosecution in the courts.
The State Commander said that more awareness must be created to highlight the dangers of drug abuse on youths and the society at large.
She, however, called on the youths in the state to refrain from illicit drugs as its effects can be damaging to health and can breed societal crimes.
Her words, “The Command has seized 600kg of Illicit drugs from July 2020 to June 2020. It shows that there is an increase in the number of seizures recorded as compared to 562kg of drugs seized between July 2019 and June 2020.
“The consequences of drug abuse come in various ways. They may be in the form of physical consequences such as health challenges, organ damage or failures, injuries due to accidents, mental challenges due to depression and other psychological dysfunctions. It may lead to systemic crime and violence becoming endemic in affected countries. Traffickers may also attempt to corrupt public officials to protect them from the law.”
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