The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday said 222 suspects were arrested in possession of illicit drugs in Ondo state in the past year.
Kayode Raji, NDLEA commander in the state, spoke in Akure on Monday, at a rally to celebrate the United Nations International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking commemorated on June 26 of every year.
He said the agency has seized about 1,956kg of psychotropic substances between June 2022 and June 2023 in the state.
Raji said the substances include: cannabis sativa measuring 18.14kg, 823.5 grams of cocaine; 46.2 grams of heroine, 242.9 grams of methamphetamine; 1328.8 kg of ‘skuchies’, monkey tail 75.5 kg and other drugs of about 1,010 grams.
He said 178 of the suspects arrested were males while 44 were females, and about 111 suspects were counselled.
He added that 26 hectares of cannabis sativa plantation were destroyed in the same period with 39 convictions secured and nine vehicles seized.
“The joy is not in reeling out the numbers, the joy actually is in totally suppressing drug dealing and consumption which is why we are intensifying our efforts in ensuring that people are counselled, rather than just arresting,” he said.
“So we go to schools, we go to motor parks, to let them know the evil of drugs and when we do this, the demand for drugs is low.
“The command is ever ready to frontally confront these merchants of death and make the state drug-free. A drug-free state is a crime-free state. My charge to them is to quit the business or quit the state.
“In Ondo state command, activities marking the day commenced on Monday 19th of June 2023 with a series of rallies at motor parks, markets, okada parks and major towns across the state especially in Ikare Akoko, Ondo, Ifon, Idoani, Ore and Owo.”
Raji said the agency is ready to confront the “death merchants” headlong, to ensure drugs are no longer attractive to society.
He urged traditional rulers, community leaders and religious leaders to continue to join the command and key into the war against drug abuse.
