NDLEA Arrests 252 Drug Offenders in Edo

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, yesterday said it arrested 252 suspected drug dealers and traffickers in nine months.
The state Commander, Buba Wakawa, who disclosed this through the Assistant Commander Narcotics, in charge of Media and Advocacy, Ondoimi Bebetu, in Benin City, said the suspects were arrested between January and September this year.

He said the arrested suspects who were considered users were counselled and released to their loved ones, adding that the law permits the agency to counsel them.

He explained that in fighting drug trafficking, the agency liaises with the police, army, the Department of State Service (DSS) and other sister agencies to carry out periodic raids in hotels and event centres in the state to arrest drug dealers and traffickers.
“From January till date, NDLEA has arrested 252 suspected drug traffickers and peddlers in the state. Some of them have been jailed, some are still in court while other have been counselled.

“We go to hotels and recreational centres where young boys and girls hide to traffic drugs. The arrested suspects are usually questioned to know those who are dealers, drug peddlers and users,” he said.

Wakawa said though the drug war in Edo State has been very challenging, the agency is doing its best in curtail drug use and supply drug chain in the state.

“Some of the commonest drugs from this dealers are cannabis, tramadol, cocaine, heroine, Colorado and codeine syrup. The users sniff this drug, sometimes cook or chew them raw while they smoke the dried one, and swallow tramadol,” he added.