National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Akwa Ibom Command, has arrested two hundred and thirty-five suspected drug offenders and seized three hundred and thirty-four point zero, six kilogrammes of drug from them in twenty-seventeen.

Its Public Relations Officer, Joy Agumuo, said of the two hundred and thirty-five arrested, one hundred and ninety-one were males while fourty-four were females.

Agumuo, a Deputy Superintendent of Narcotics, said there was a reduction in the number of suspects arrested and quantity of drug seized, compared to the twenty-sixteen figures of three hundred and one suspects and four hundred and five point one, nine, five kilogram of drugs.

The public relations officer revealed that during the period under review, 10 of the suspects were convicted and serving various jail terms.

She said the Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the agency counseled some addicts, adding that they had been rehabilitated and reunited with their families

“We arrested 235 suspected drug dealers and users and secured 10 convictions in Akwa Ibom State during 2017 operation.

“Of this number, 191 were males while 44 were females. Over 334.06 kg of hard drugs were seized from these suspects within the period,” Agumuo said.

According to her, some of the seizures made were cocaine, heroin, cannabis sativa (Indian hemp), diazepam, tramadol and psychotropic substances.

She expressed dismay over the high prevalence of cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) and combined substance users in Uyo, the state capital.

Agumuo advised those who indulged in hard drugs to desist from the habit to avoid its adverse health implications as well as the long arm of the law.

She attributed the achievements of the agency during the year to the commitment of the personnel, good working relationship and synergy between it and other security agencies in the state.

She said: “the command worked hard to limit the supply and abuse of hard drugs and other psychoactive substances in the state.

“The result is the reduction in the number of suspects and quantity of drugs seized.

Agumuo urged the people to cooperate with the agency by volunteering adequate information on drug dealers for prompt action.

She assured the people that the agency would not relent in its effort to comb all nooks and crannies to rid the state of drug dealers.

The PRO identified poor funding, inadequate logistics and office accommodation as some of the challenges facing the command.