NDLEA seizes 2 million kilograms of illicit drugs in 5 months

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Monday, disclosed that over two million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs have been seized from January to May 2021.

Chairman of the Agency, Mohammed Marwa, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital ahead of the 2021 World Drug Day billed  for June 26.

Marwa added that within the same period 2,180 arrests have been made by the agency, including five drug barons while 2,100 drug cases have been filed in court, out of which over 500 convictions have been recorded and 1,549 cases are still pending.

According to the NDLEA boss, these achievements, were recorded following the launch of the agency’s offensive action against drug cartels across the country five months ago.

He, also disclosed that a new trend in drug abuse has emerged in Kogi State where young people engage in smoking a local substance called ‘lope’ which looks like Marijuana.

He explained that those who take the local substance believe that it can fortify them against knives, bullets, and other metallic tools.

Marwa, however, noted that drug abuse contributes largely to insecurity, violent extremism, among other acts.