NDLEA seizes 1,112kg of cannabis sativa, arrests suspects

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it seized 1, 112kg of Cannabis sativa and arrested the suspect in Akwa Ibom.

The Commander of NDLEA in Akwa Ibom, Mrs Obot Bassey, disclosed this in a press statement issued to newsmen in Uyo.

Bassey said the suspect, Hope David – female, 42 years old was arrested by the operatives of the Command in Abak Local Government Area of the state on March 5.

She said that a preliminary investigation had commenced and revealed that the entire family engages in the illicit trade. 

“Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Akwa Ibom State Command on Sunday, March 5, 2023, apprehended one Hope Iniobong David, female, 42 years old with a jaw-dropping 1112kg (1.1 tonnes) of Cannabis sativa. 

“The gallant operatives of the Command at Abak LGA of the State arrested the suspect. Preliminary investigation revealed that the entire family engages in the illicit trade. 

“However, as at the time of the arrest, the husband of the suspect, Iniobong David Duff was nowhere to be found, but an investigation has commenced in order to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Bassey said.

The commander added that the feat was achieved in conjunction with the Military Joint Taskforce in the state and commended them for always responding to their distress calls.

The state commander reminded the Akwa Ibom people and indeed all Nigerians that drug trafficking undermines development by eroding social and human capital affects the economy and brings about shame as well as imprisonment of culprits, among others. 

Bassey added that drug abuse impaired coordination and concentration, as such driving a car or machinery becomes difficult and dangerous.

She warned the youth that drug abuse also distorted their perception of time and space, increased metabolism such as pulse, heart rate, blood short eyes, dilated pupils and increased appetite and altered state of consciousness.

The commander said that NDLEA would untiringly traverse the length and breadth of the state to comb out drug merchants in the state while rehabilitating the addicts to inclusiveness and usefulness in society. 

Bassey urged stakeholders, traditional rulers, and youth leaders to champion the campaign against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in their environments.

The commander added that the feat was achieved in conjunction with the Military Joint Taskforce in the state and commended them for always responding to their distress calls.