The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 191 drug trafficking suspects and seized 966.693kgs of illicit drugs in Imo in 2020.
The agency also arrested 136 drug suspects and seized 763.711kgs hard drugs between January and October 2021 in the state.
Outgoing NDLEA Commander in the state, Mr Nse Inam, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri on Thursday.
The commander restated the commitment of the agency to fighting drug trafficking and abuse in Imo.
Inam thanked the government and people of the state for their support during his tenure and urged them to continue to partner the agency.
He said the command defied the activities of the “unknown gunmen’’ in the state and carried out public enlightenment in schools, churches, communities and motor parks.
Inam thanked officers and men of the command for their hard work.
“NDLEA has been very active in Imo and we have been hard on those who are involved in illicit drug activities, not even administrative bail is being granted even to a suspect arrested with a minute quantity of hard drugs.
“Those in patent medicine shops are also not spared as some have been apprehended and are facing prosecution in court.
“We are working in close collaboration with the state government and other stakeholders to tackle the issue of drug abuse, including cases of abuse of methamphetamine, popularly known as ‘mkpuru-mmiri’, in the state,’’ he said.
Inam called on stakeholders in the state to join hands with the NDLEA in fighting the menace of drug trafficking and abuse.
“They can also set up teams in their various communities to identify those who are into illicit drug business and report same to the NDLEA for further action.
“Handing severe punishment to drugs offenders is the responsibility of the court, not NDLEA or any other law enforcement agency and we urge those in positions of authority to desist from misinforming the public of the activities of the agency.’’
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