The National Agency for the Application of the Drug Law, Ndlea, says that it has destroyed 30 hectares of cannabis sativa, also known as Indian hemp, planting in a forest in the area of ​​the local government of Odukpani by Cross River.
The state commander of Ndlea, Mrs. Rachel Umebuali, said this during an interview with the Nigeria news agency, NAN, on Saturday in Calabar.
She said that some suspects were also arrested in relation to the destroyed plantation, expressing concern that the locals protect drug merchants.
Umebuali said that 163.9 kg of cannabis sativa of the plantation were recovered.
He added that the command seized a total of 6,716.8 kg of illicit drugs between January and June.
Giving the breakdown of the figures, he said that the Ndlea confiscated 2935 kg of cannabis sativa in the six months.
Others are, 129.6 kg of methamphetamine, 82.7 kg of psychotropic, 33.3 liters of cannabis mixture, 47.7 kg of cocaine, 32.3 kg of heroin, 69.7 kg of opiod and babiturate, and 5gram Ecstasy Drug.
Umebuali said the command also arrested 191 people within the same period.
“15 people were convicted of several crimes in the period under review,” he said.
According to her, what is worrying in the findings is that most of these street vendors are not indigenous of the State.
“They come here and give money to the locals that protect them by not giving information about their impious activities.”
Umebuali said that the command, with the active support of the state's first lady, Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu, successfully concluded this year's drug day, which has as its subject: “The evidence is clear: invest in prevention.”
“We have also continued carrying out several defense programs in several institutions throughout the State, in order to reduce the threat of drug abuse in society.
“Between January and June of this year, we made 191 awareness departures to schools, markets, churches, mosques, non -governmental organizations, among others,” he said.
Umebuali said the command challenges were under financing and logistics.