The FCT command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it arrested no fewer than 391 suspects for various drug-related crimes between January and December 2024.

The FCT commander, NDLEA, Kabir Tsakuwa, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while highlighting the command’s achievements in 2024.

Mr Tsakuwa said 365 of those suspected were male while 26 were females within the same period under review.

He said the suspects were arrested during raid operations at different locations within the FCT by the men of field commands, area commands, squads, and operational teams.

The NDLEA boss said the command prosecuted 173 cases in court within the same period under review.

He also said the command secured 72 convictions, adding that it had cumulatively 288 pending cases in court that were currently at various stages of prosecution.

“As earlier said, the command recorded 72 convictions within this period. However, notable convictions range from five to 25 years imprisonment for the defendants.

“The command has recorded 25 years conviction each for two defendants, 15 years each for five defendants and convictions ranging from five to 10 years for eight defendants in drug-related
cases for the year 2024,” he said.

The commander said the most common charges preferred against suspects varied and depended on the roles played by each suspect.

“Due to our sustainable raid operations within the FCT, most of our suspects are arrested for selling, delivering, distributing, offering to sell, and dispensing controlled substances; therefore, they are charged for dealing.

“Where suspects are involved knowingly in moving or conveying controlled substances in vehicles, we charge them for transportation.

“We have also charged many suspects for conspiracy where they are involved in an agreement between two or more suspects to commit drug-related crimes.

“Another common charge usually preferred against suspects by this command is aiding and abetting, where individuals are found assisting, supporting, encouraging, advising, guiding, planning, or actively participating in acts related to drug crime,” he said.

Mr Tsakuwa appreciated the support the command enjoyed under the leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

He said Mr Wike’s support and that of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) leadership had assisted the command in recording the successes.

(NAN)