NDLEA seized 460.34kg of illicit drugs in Akwa Ibom in 2022 and arrested 348 suspects.

NDLEA commander in Akwa Ibom, Obot Bassey, told journalists in Uyo on Wednesday that 302 males and 46 females were arrested.

Illicit drugs seized were 231.377kg of Indian hemp, 2.611kg of cocaine, 0.919kg of heroin, 0.032kg of Meth, 92.803kg of amphetamine and 133.196kg of other psychotropic substances, she added.

She said the command also secured 58 convictions of drug dealers and users in 2022, rehabilitated 15 persons and counselled 265 others. Ms Bassey said the command also destroyed 2.786 tonnes of seized drugs by burning them in public glare in 2022.

“Of spectacular note were arrests and seizure of 90kg amphetamine with a street value of N2.5 billion and 2.6kg of cocaine. The drugs would have done a lot of damage to families, communities and the state if they had not been seized,’’ Ms Bassey explained.

She said Uyo local council area recorded the highest rate of drug abuse out of the 31 councils in Akwa Ibom. Ikot Ekpene and Itu closely followed it.

The NDLEA commander added that the anti-narcotics agency was in dire need of operational vehicles to cover the 31 councils effectively, boats to patrol the waterways and residential barracks for the safety of its personnel.

Ms Bassey said the NDLEA was disturbed by the influx of a new drug, Fentanyl, into the Nigerian market, as it is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, heroin and codeine.

(NAN)