NDLEA destroys N2.8bn worth of illicit drugs in Edo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday destroyed 73,463.21 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs worth N2.8 billion in Edo State. Speaking during the exercise, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the exercise as a major blow to criminal networks involved in drug trafficking and abuse in […]
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday destroyed 73,463.21 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs worth N2.8 billion in Edo State.
Speaking during the exercise, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the exercise as a major blow to criminal networks involved in drug trafficking and abuse in the state.
Represented by the NDLEA Director of Operations and General Investigation, DCGN Suleiman Ahmed Ningi, Marwa said the volume of the seizures reflected the magnitude of the threat posed by drug trafficking in the country.
“The drugs being destroyed today would have ended up in the veins, lungs and bloodstreams of many young Nigerians if not for the vigilance and courage of our officers,” he said.
Also speaking, Governor Monday Okpebholo described the war against drugs as a battle against criminality, kidnapping, banditry and the health hazards associated with drug abuse.
Represented by the Chairperson of the Edo State Drug Control Committee, Mrs Edesili Anani, the governor warned drug traffickers to stay away from Edo State, saying the administration would not relent until every gramme of illicit substance was seized and destroyed.
The state NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the destroyed exhibits had an estimated street value of N2.8 billion.
Giving a breakdown of the seizure, he said Cannabis sativa accounted for the bulk of the haul with 73,210.23 kilogrammes, followed by psychotropic substances weighing 246.36 kilogrammes, including tramadol (141.81kg), diazepam (8.43kg) and codeine cough syrup (61.77kg).