The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) in Akwa Ibom has said that it has arrested 244 suspects for various drug offences in the last one year.
It also seized 600kg of illicit drugs including Cannabis Sativa, Cocaine, Heroin and Psychotropic substances within the same period.
State Commander of NDLEA, Mrs Obot Bassey, disclosed this during a press briefing marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2021 in Uyo on Monday however said that only 21 of them were convicted.
Obot said out of the 244 suspects arrested 30 were females adding that apart from the 21 convictions secured, 23 cases were pending and were undergoing prosecution at different stages in Courts.
She made a case for efforts to be accorded to the sensitization of youths on the devastating consequences of drug abuse and Illicit trafficking.
“This is beautiful the data for the year under review shows that there is an increase in the number of seizures recorded as compared to 562kg of drug seized between July 2019 and June 2020.” She said.
Obot who said that the consequences of drug abuse could be devastating and damaging to the body organs added that impacts of illicit trafficking could be severe and lead to systemic crimes and violence in the society.
“The consequences of drug abuse comes 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.
“The impacts of illicit trafficking are severe. 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.” Obot said.
