NDLEA Nabs 196 Drug Suspects In Osun

The Osun command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday said it arrested 196 suspected drug traffickers in the state between January and December 2011.

The state Commander of the agency, Mrs. Anthonia Ndu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo that 52 of the offenders had been convicted.

Ndu said the trial of other suspects were ongoing at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.

She added that 3,162.81 kilogramme of cannabis sativa popularly called Indian hemp, 700 grammes of psychotropic substances and 5.1 grammes of cocaine were seized from the suspects during the period.

The commander said that more than 43 hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed, while four vehicles used for transporting the illicit weed were seized.

She recalled that 7,117.2kg of cannabis in custody of the agency in Osun was publicly burnt on November 24, 2011 in Osogbo.

She said that the agency would continue fighting the drug war and bring cannabis cultivation to zero level across the state.

She solicited the support of the public in the fight against drug trafficking, and urged Nigerians to join hands with the agency to combat the menace.