The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bayelsa State Command, has seized a total of 491.032kgs of illicit substances during operations between September and early this month, October, as it intensified the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign in the state.
The state Commander of the NDLEA, Matthew Ewah, who stated this while briefing newsmen in his office in Yenagoa, on Tuesday, said the command also arrested 27 suspected illicit drug dealers comprising 25 males and two females at various locations within the period.
He said the seizures included Cannabis Sativa (1.048kg), Methamphetamine (0.01kg), Cocaine (0.006kg), Tramadol (1,054 tabs, 0.03kg), Swinol (109 tabs, 0.015kg), Diazepam injection (4 Ampoules), Diazepam (636 tabs, 0.551kg), Codeine (4 1/2 bottles, 0.7kg).
Ewah also said that abandoned seizures intercepted by the command were Cannabis Sativa (448.616kg), Tramadol (0.029kg), Swinol (0.02kg) and Methamphetamine (0.007kg).
He said his men also recovered 19 rounds of live ammunition 9mm calibre, 125 rounds of live ammunition cartridges, noting that robbery and rape suspects were also apprehended during operations and handed over to the police for further investigation.
Ewah said, “Top on the list is the seizure on the 27th September, 2023 of 432kgs of Cannabis Sativa abandoned in a white Mercedes Benz J5 bus along SAIPEM Road Opolo, Yenagoa. The vehicle was also recovered from the scene for further investigation.
“It is important to note that the interception of 432kgs of Cannabis Sativa is the single largest seizure in the history of Bayelsa State Command of the NDLEA. This seizure was made possible by credible intelligence and practiced profiling.
“Earlier today (Tuesday), our motorized patrol team seized and recovered 48kgs of Cannabis Sativa along the East-West Road.
“Also of note is the seizure of 19 RLA (rounds of live ammunition) 9mm calibre at Akenfa, Yenagoa and another 125 rounds of live AAA cartridges at the SWALI Market Jetty on the 14th and 23rd of September, 2023 respectively. The Command also arrested an armed robbery and rape suspects here in Okaka Estate on the 9th of September, 2023. The suspects and the ammunition have been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.”
He solicited the understanding and cooperation of the motoring public and commuters as the men of the command patrolled the roads.
The NDLEA boss said the command was committed to the task of making Bayelsa unsafe for merchants of illicit drug trade, and called for support from well-meaning residents.
