NDLEA INTERCEPTS 2 TONNES OF DRUGS

LAGOS

In continuation of its drive against drug trafficking, National Drug
Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted about two tonnes of
drugs from different parts of the country.

The drugs were intercepted at the Murtala Mohammed International
Airport, Lagos, Ikorodu end of Lagos, Yobe and Anambra States.

The drugs included concaine, heroin, indian hemp and psychotropic
substances among others.

The agency also indicated that reports coming from their various
commands have revealed that unscrupulous drug traffickers are in for a
tougher time this year because the structure necessary for counter
narcotic onslaught is already on ground.

A statement signed by NDLEA Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Jonah
Achema, stated that a break down of drugs seized from various flight
at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, by NDLEA International
Airport Special Area Command, showed that concaine, heroin and
psychotropic substances accounted for 1.56,3.565, and 17.5 kilogrammes
respectively.

He equally stated that indian hemp accounted for 2, 406.2 kilogrammes
with 2,025.7 kilogrammes of the substance intercepted at the Ikorodu
end of Lagos by the Lagos State Command of the agency.

The Operations Unit of the Directorate of Investigation, National
Headquarters also made an impressive seizure of 207 kilogrammes of
cannabis in the period under review.

Achema reiterated that in the same period, Yobe State Command
impounded 186 blocks of indian hemp weighing 173.5 kilogrammes stocked
in a Honda Accord Car with registration Number FY 74 KJA abandoned by
the occupants who took to their heels on sighting members of the agency.

"The interception of illicit drugs has been a continuous one this year
and a lot has been achieved in the month of January. Beside the
aforementioned cases, the Anambra State Command of the agency also
intercepted 29,882 kilogrammes of illicit substances made up of 20
grammes of heroin and concaine in addition to 29.5 kilogrammes of
indian hemp. Those in Anambra State have added new dimension to their
strategy by concealing the hard drugs in the Holy Bible. This is very
common in Onitsha and its metropolis", he claimed.

The Assistant Director of Public Affairs disclosed that a total of 29
suspects were arrested in connection with drugs trafficking offences
adding that they are already giving useful information concerning
their various trafficking network, which the agency has vowed to
dismantle without delay.

He told City Diary that the agency has no fewer than 1,000 techniques
on how to get at their targets, stressing that the techniques cannot
be revealed on the pages of newspapers for security reasons.

Responding to City Diary's question on the conviction of those
arrested, Achema said for the past three years they have convicted a
lot of arrested drug traffickers. He added that last year alone they
convicted no fewer than 700 of them. He equally stated that in the
last three years, the agency has not lost any case against any
arrested drug trafficker in court.

Corroborating Achema's statement, NDLEA Director of Investigation,
Lagos State, Alhaji Aminu Shehu, pointed out that the agency will work
more aggressively this year because structure necessary for a counter
narcotic onslaught is already on ground.

He reiterated that the last three years under the leadership of the
Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Alhaji Bello Lafiaji has been
characterised by breath taking restructuring and test running of such
structures.

"I can say with all confidence now that the agency has been fully and
properly restructured and by the turn of 2004, drugs dealers will be
clearly left with no option but to desist from their nefarious act",
he said.