NDLEA ARREST 124 SUSPECTED DRUG DEALERS IN ABIA

UMUAHIA--THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested
124 persons suspected to be dealers on hard drugs within the last one
month in Abia State, while 41 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances were also seized within the same period.

Last Thursday alone, the agency arrested ten suspects and most of them
were said to be traders at the Ariaria market who have abandoned their
trade to face the drug business. Abia State commander of NDLEA, Mr.
Justice Arinze who gave the figure while briefing newsmen in Aba on
Monday as part of activities to mark the United Nations' International
Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking explained that
eighty per cent of those arrested are drug addicts who have been
counseled and rehabilitated, while the remaining twenty per cent are
at various stages of investigation and prosecution.

According to him, although Abia State is admired for its commerce and
great entrepreneurs that have contributed significantly to the economy
of the country, "on the other hand, Abia has acquired the notoriety as
the highest hard drug consuming and trafficking state east of the Niger."

The merchants of death, he stated, have ensured the ready availability
of hard drugs not only in Abia, but also in the five neighbouring
states of Imo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom, adding that
this situation has led to upsurge in violent crimes such as armed
robbery in the state.

Arinze said that the main worry of the NDLEA is that cocaine and
heroine have become common drugs of abuse with arrest and seizures
recorded in all the 17 local government areas of the state, just as
more drug joints are emerging on a daily basis in different parts of
the state where criminal activities are planned, perfected and executed.

He explained that in spite of the policy of seizing the assets of the
drug barons, many people still go into it, adding that his command has
decided to organize talks in some communities in the state in
collaboration with their traditional rulers as a way of educating the
youths on the negative effects of drugs.

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was
set aside by the United Nations to sensitize the populace to the
emerging drug problems, mobilize support and participation of the
populace in programmes aimed at preventing drug abuse and illicit
trafficking, encourage the populace to support local initiative in
drug control, draw attention to the dangers inherent in the illicit
sale and consumption of drugs and encourage the populace to live
healthy lifestyles devoid of drug.