Awka – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Anambra said it arrested 273 drug suspects including 13 females in 2016.
The figure was 16 lower than the 289 suspects arrested in 2015 in the state.
The NDLEA Commander, Mr Sule Momodu, made the disclosure to newsmen in Awka on Wednesday.
Momodu said that it secured 49 conviction during the year under review as against 30 people convicted in 2015.
He said that 85 people were rehabilitated in 2016 as against 55 in 2015.
The commander said that the agency made 1,126.33kg drug seizure in 2016.
The drugs were Cannabis Sativa, 1,099.95kg; Cocaine, 338.5gm; Heroine, 310.9gm; and Methamphetamine, 25.73kg.
According to him, arrest and prosecution by the agency has immensely contributed to the improved security in the state.
Momodu stressed the importance of a modern rehabilitation centre in the state, while commending Gov. Willie Obiano for giving approval for a land for the construction which had yet to commence.
“We need a rehabilitation centre to cut off the increase of the drug users. Without rehabilitation, other people can lure them to go back into the business.
“But with a rehabilitation centre the governor would have gone the full circle on drug remand reduction,’’ he said.
Momodu said that the governor had also made valuable contributions to the command in the fight against illicit drug.
He said that the state government procured two vehicles last year and gave approval for five motorcycles for the command in 2017.
