NDLEA in Kano seizes over 39,224.09 kg of hard drugs

The Kano state Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has seized 39, 224.109 kg of assorted illicit drugs in the last one year.

This is apart from 10.6 kilo­grammes of heroin, 700 grammes of cocaine seized at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MA­KIA).

Kano state Commander of the narcotic agency, Mr. Hamza Umar who briefed journalists during the 2017 United Nations drug-free day with the team “Listen First,” regretted the increasing use of drugs among married women, divorcees, youths and teenagers in the state.

He added that the event which was slated to hold on June 26 was shifted to July 4 because of the Sal­lah break.

He added that among the il­licit drugs seized, cannabis sativa weighed highest with 6451.976kg, followed by psychotropic sub­stances weighing 32715.166kg.

According to him, the Com­mand also impounded 358.3 grammes of cocaine, 8.5 grammes of heroine, 31.8 kg of methamphi­tamine and 24.8 kg of ephedrine.

The NDLEA boss also stated that, over 768 suspects were arrest­ed out of which 505 suspects were counseled, 68 rehabilitated, while 240 convictions were also made.

Hamza said the major factors leading to drug abuse are within the community, “the drugs are found there, the abusers and deal­ers are stationed there, while the resources to fight this monster are also based there. Therefore, the full support and involvement of the various groups in the commu­nity is indeed necessary.

“Having reviewed our arrest and seizure statistics from Janu­ary to June 2017, we noticed that a serious decrease in terms of the supply and consumption of the United Nations class “A” drugs otherwise known as hard drugs, for example, cocaine, heroin and cannabis sativa.

“Ironically, we noticed an in­crease in the use of syrups and pentazocine injection. The com­mand noticed there is serious increase in drugs-related crimes in the state and have taken all the necessary and needed steps to cur­tail it.”