The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 559 suspects and seized 1.8 tonnes of suspected illicit drugs within 11 months in Anambra State.

Charles Onubogu, the commander of NDLEA, Anambra command, disclosed this at a news conference on Wednesday in Awka, to mark the 2026 World Drug Day.

The theme of the 2026 World Drug Day is “The World Drug Problem, Persistent Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Response”.

“Since I came in 11 months ago as the commander of the NDLEA in Anambra, we have arrested 475 male and 84 female suspects, making 559 suspects.

“Also within this period we seized 1.8 tonnes of different illicit drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine and others,” he said.

Mr Onubogu said that the command had also secured 128 convictions during the period under review.

He further said that within the period the command counseled, treated and rehabilitated 102 people with drug related challenges; 99 males and three females.

The commander said that such people were also taught skills such as soap making, tailoring and other hand work to help them fully reintegrate into the society.

He said that as drug problems persist, challenges are bound, adding that the war against drugs abuse and illicit trafficking was the responsibility of all stakeholders and not the agency alone.

Mr Onubogu said that the agency had developed a demand and supply reduction method to tackle the menace in the state.

“In supply reduction method, we arrest the drug dealers, investigate and prosecute them and also take the drugs out of circulation.

“Then under the demand reduction, we sensitise and advise the persons involved, to help them stay off illicit drugs,” he said.

Mr Onubogu said that the agency had established a rehabilitation centre in the state, where drug addicts are professionally counselled, rehabilitated and treated and reintegrated into society.

The United Nations set aside June 26 every year for the global campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. 

(NAN)