Kogi NDLEA seizes 6499.809kg illicit drugs
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kogi State Command, recorded a major breakthrough in 2013, in its bid to rid the state of illicit drugs by seizing 6499.809kg of Indian hemp, the highest ever recorded in the state.
The Agency impounded a total number of 23 vehicles and destroyed 83 bags of harvested cannabis weeds stems in Government Reserve Forest at Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area.
This was disclosed by the State Commanded of NDLEA, Alhaji Idris Bello, at the press briefing to highlight the activities of the Agency for 2013.
Alhaji Bello stated that one of the major breakthroughs of the agency was the re-arrested of the one Ilori Olusola, who escaped from Koton-Karfe Federal Prison, and standing trail at Federal High Court, Lokoja, for unlawful possession of 106.8kg of Indian hemp.
During the re-arrest, he was again found with 2.9kg of Indian hemp.
Speaking on the persecution of arrested suspects, the State Commander said the Agency has secured the convicted of 36 suspects apart from 17 awaiting trail, adding that 170 had been counselled and rehabilitated.
The commander revealed that there was a sharp increase in the arrests made in 2013 compared with 2012 which stood at 4087.96kg.
He commended the commitment, sacrifice and doggedness of officers and men of the command, stating that the contribution of three officers saw them awarded the Chairman/Chief Executive’s award for exemplary performance.
He called on the government to assist the command with vehicular logistics and office accommodation to enhance the operational capacity as well as building a rehabilitation centre for drug-dependent offenders.
While reiterating the Command’s readiness in countering the tricks traffickers, he appreciated members of the public for their patriotism and urged them to continue to volunteer useful information that would lead to the arrest of drug dealers.
