NDLEA arrests 66, destroys 36.7 tons of cannabis farm in Ondo

NDLEA arrests village head for alleged possession of 12kg of Indian hemp
(Guardian)

The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 66 drug offenders in six months in Ondo State.

The state Commander of the agency, Mr Mohammed Sokoto, disclosed this at a news conference to mark this year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Sunday in Akure.

The commander revealed that the agency seized 1348.62 kg of cannabis sativa and destroyed 367, 016kg (36. 7tons) of cannabis farms.

Sokoto said the agency would not relent in its effort to reduce the circulation of illicit drugs in the society.

"The impact of this constant awareness programme is reduction in abuse of drug. It is not based on number of seizure, but the pattern determines the success,’’ he said.

Sokoto also revealed that 23 drug users had been counselled, while 7 clients were rehabilitated in six months.

He noted that Ondo state was famously known for the cultivation of cannabis, while the abuse is not prevalent in the state.

Sokoto said sensitisation and enlightenment programmes were carried out in 18 primary and secondary schools with two tertiary institutions of learning.

He said the week-long event with the theme "Just Listen", was to showcase the activities of the command in drug control in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the United Nations sets every June 26 to commemorate the event.