BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
Some operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Ebonyi State have intercepted 10.5kg of tramadol and 20.357kg of cannabis sativa in the state.
The Commander of the agency, Umaro Isa-Idoro, made the disclosure in an exclusive interview with The Point at the NDLEA state headquarters, Ntezi.
Isa-Idoro also said that two suspects, Ezeonyi Ifeanyi, aged 21, a native of Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State; and 29-year-old Ivoh Chukwuemeka, from Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state, were arrested for allegedly being in possession of the illegal drugs.
The Deputy Commander of the agency, Aweda Mathew, on behalf of Isa-Idoro, noted that Ifeanyi was intercepted by the agency’s patrol team on November 27 in Abakaliki, along the Enugu-Abakaliki Highway, on his way to Benue State from Onitsha, Anambra State, for supply of 21,000 50mg and 100mg tramadol capsules.
According to him, Chukwuemeka was apprehended by the operatives on November 19, for transporting 20.357kg of cannabis sativa through a commercial bus. The vehicle was said to have been intercepted by the agency at a filling station at the Presco Junction in Abakaliki.
The NDLEA chief, describing the arrests as part of the agency’s recent achievements in the command, said that it would not relent in its efforts to fight users and dealers of illicit drugs in the state.
On the prevalence of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, popularly known as ‘mkpuru mmiri’, he explained that it had been in existence long ago but just gained prominence due to its increased intake by addicts.
According to him, mkpuru mmiri works on the central nervous system, causing the users to lose their senses. He expressed worry at its high prevalence in South-East Nigeria, attributing its effects to the security problems ravaging the region.
Isa-Idoro expressed worries that a large number of young men in their 20s engaged in drugs in the South-East, urging stakeholders to support the agency in its efforts at ensuring that the society was drug-free.
Specifically, he stressed the need for parents to be alive to their responsibilities by ensuring that their children and wards were not exposed to the use of illicit drugs.
He said that the arrested drug suspects would be charged to court after completion of investigation.
One of the suspects, named Ifeanyi, confirmed that he was caught when conveying the drugs to Benue State to supply to medicine dealers and not to Boko Haram bandits as alleged.
