NDLEA arrests 150 drug trafficking suspects in Nasarawa

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NDLEA arrests 150 drug trafficking suspects in Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, said it arrested 150 suspected drug traffickers between July 2023 and June 2024.

This was disclosed by the state commander, Peter Onche-Odaudu, during the grand finale of a week-long activity marking the 2024 United Nations International Day Against Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Lafia on Wednesday.

Onche-Odaudu revealed that the suspects included 144 males and six females.

According to him, during the period in question, the NDLEA seized 7,148.95kg of illicit drugs. The confiscated drugs consisted of 7,037.2kg of Indian hemp, 0.011kg of cocaine, 0.185kg of methamphetamine, and 111.53kg of various psychotropic substances.

Onche-Odaudu said: “A very significant arrest and seizure is that of 4,037kg of Indian hemp in one fell swoop on Sunday, February 4, 2024. This remains the single highest seizure of drugs in the history of the drug war in Nasarawa State. The suspects arrested and the 40-foot truck seized are being prosecuted and forfeited, respectively.”

He added that 117 suspects were convicted to various jail terms at the Federal High Court, Lafia, within the reviewed period.

Onche-Odaudu further stated that the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse campaign sensitised 46,802 people, comprising 27,033 males and 19,769 females, in schools, communities, workplaces, and motor parks across the state.