11th October, 2010
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA yesterday said it apprehended 159 suspected drug traffickers and seized 4.7 metric tonnes of cannabis in Lagos between January and September.
In a statement by its Head of Public Affairs, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the NDLEA said that 141 of the suspects were male and 18 females.
The agency said that its Lagos State command had secured the conviction of 62 drug traffickers in the past nine months while 4,700kg of illicit drugs had been confiscated.
It said that its Acting Commander in the state, Mrs Kenechi Nnoruka, was working out modalities to eradicate drug trafficking in the commercial city.
“The socio-economic, political and cultural implications of cannabis cultivation, trafficking and abuse are devastating.
“The latest research has reinforced the damaging impact of the drug on the brain,†the agency said.
It urged parents to ensure that their children and wards kept away from drugs.
“We are coming all out against narcotics in our society. Even cannabis that is locally cultivated is harmful.
“It affects the central nervous system, causing damage to the brain.
“Cannabis abuse is linked with criminality. Many great destinies have been lost through drug abuse habits,†it added.
The NDLEA gave the assurance that the suspects would soon be charged to court.