The Imo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it arrested 146 suspects and seized 225.32kg exhibits in 2019.
The Command made the disclosure on Wednesday in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mr. Sampson Uche in Owerri.
Reviewing the command’s performance in 2019, Sampson said the agency counselled 48 Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) and rehabilitated five drug dependent persons.
He also disclosed that the Command was able to get eight drug peddlers convicted and conducted sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns in locations across the state including secondary schools, churches, communities, motor parks and via radio stations.
The NDLEA PRO further stated that the command had a total of 55 drug cases pending in court as at Dec. 31, 2019 adding that the command was able to overcome challenges such as poor logistics and infrastructure decay.
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He commended residents of Imo for their cooperation describing them as ‘well-meaning compatriots’.
According to Uche, the successes of 2019 could not have been possible without the synergy between local communities and the Command.
“On behalf of the Command and state commander, Mr. Nse Inam, we wish to thank the good and well-meaning compatriots for the goodwill and moral support which we enjoyed from them in year 2019.
“With your support, we were able to achieve great feats including the arrest of 146 suspects, seizure of 225.32 kg exhibits, counselling of 48 PWUDs, conviction of eight drug peddlers and rehabilitation of five drug dependent persons.
“The command hopes that with improved logistics and necessary infrastructure, we would do more to serve you better,’’ he said.
