NDLEA Arrests Over 200 Drug Barons In Kaduna

The Kaduna state command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) today (Thursday) arrested over 200 suspected drug barons and drug addicts in various parts of the state while five cannabis farms were also uncovered in five local government areas of the state.

The State Commandant of the agency, Mohammed Jibrin, told newsmen in his office that   the farms are located in Sanga, Kagarko, Jema’a and Zaria Local Government Areas of the state.

Jibrin said the agency discovered the farms through information from indigenes of the communities and stressed the need for the public to furnish the agency with information that could enable it combat the increasing rate of drug abuse and peddling in the state.

According to him, the agency has arrested 137 suspects with over two tons of cannabis sativa, 235 grammes of cocaine and 182 kilograms of other narcotic substances between January and October this year while 70 suspects have been convicted for various drug-related offences.

The Commandant assured the public of confidentiality and safety of any person that provided it with information that could enable the agency curb drug abuse and trafficking.

While calling on parents and guardians to be wary of the activities of their children, the commandant disclosed a new form of drug addiction among the youths to include; sniffing of lizard excreta, pit toilets, smoking old papers and inhaling of petrol.

While commending Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna state for his assistance to the agency in the fight against drug abuse in the state, he stated that the agency has focused much of the fight on powerful drug barons in the state.

He also appealed to other security agencies in the state to always hand over drug suspects to the agency for prosecution, rather than them charging  such suspects to court without proper consultation.