Abuja, June, 19, 2023 -The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully prosecuted and convicted 5, 147 drug offenders in the last two and half years.
Its Chairman, Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), said this at a press briefing on Monday in Abuja held to the flag off of activities marking the 2023 UN Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking of Illicit Drugs.
He said more than 31, 675 persons including 35 barons, were arrested for drug-related offences during the period.
Marwa, who was represented by the Secretary of the agency, Shedrack Haruna, said over 11,000 other cases were still pending in courts, while 23,725 drug users had been counselled and rehabilitated.
“In the past two and half years, we have strengthened our law enforcement efforts to cut down on the supply of drugs in society.
“In 29 months, we have arrested 31, 675 drug offenders, including 35 barons; successfully prosecuted and got convicted 5,147 of them, and over 11,000 other cases still pending in court, while 23,725 drug users had been counselled and rehabilitated, majority of them through brief interventions.
“At least 6.3 million kilogrammes of various illicit substances have been recovered in response to our efforts to sweep up drugs and shut down the distribution channels.
“We have destroyed 852.142 hectares of cannabis farms and dismantled three clandestine methamphetamine laboratories.
“I can assure you that even as we speak, NDLEA agents are busy with interdiction activities somewhere,” he said. (GBN)
