NDLEA Arrests 64 Drug Traffickers, Impounds 38kgs of Illicit Drugs

NDLEA Arrests 64 Drug Traffickers, Impounds 38kgs of Illicit Drugs

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Bayelsa State Command, has apprehended 64 suspected drug traffickers in the state.

NDLEA also said it impounded 38 kilogrammes of illicit drugs in the state.

The State Commander, NDLEA, Mrs. Josephine Obi, said while 45 of the suspects were males, 19 others were females.

She said the suspects were arrested during the first quarter of this year for offences like trafficking in cocaine, heroin, cannabis and other psychotropic drugs.

Obi said that during the arrest of some of the suspects that the NDLEA operatives recovered one locally-made pistol, a revolver pistol, one hand grenade, five rounds of ammunition and a handcuff from one of the suspects.

The state Commander said the suspects were arrested in separate locations in Ogbia, Yenagoa, East/West road and Kaiama areas of the state.

Obi also said the command impounded a Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle used for conveying drugs from one of the drug barons, adding that the command was still combing the nooks and crannies of Bayelsa for big barons.

She equally said over 239 persons had been counselled on the dangers of using hard drugs, insisting that drugs don’t do any good to the community, individuals and the country.

She stated, “Smoking or using of drugs is not good for the body and the country, but rather influences individual to commit crimes. May I therefore appeal to parents and guardians to warn their children and wards to desist from drugs.

“Drug is not alcohol; it has negative effects on the individuals. Talk to your neighbours and friends to shun taking narcotic drugs.”

According to Obi, a drug user is not primarily a criminal, but usage of drugs can push one to commit crimes.

She lamented that since the beginning of this year, the command had not been able to prosecute any case in court because of the closure of the Federal High Court in the state.

It will be recalled that the Federal High Court in Bayelsa has not sat for more than six months due to the alleged corruption probe of the presiding judge of the court.

Obi said the development was affecting the operations of the command as its cells were congested with inmates.

She said the 64 suspects would be prosecuted accordingly as soon as the judge of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa resumed sitting.

Obi said drugs recovered from the suspects comprised cannabis sativa, cocaine, heroin and psychotropic substances.

She said the agency was committed to extending its operations to all the nooks and crannies of the state including the riverine communities.

Obi, however, appealed to the Bayelsa State Government and other public-spirited individuals to assist the command with logistics to enable the agency to carry out its operations seamlessly in the state.

The commander, who solicited the support of stakeholders and members of the public in terms of volunteering information, said the agency was moving from reactive to proactive organisation.