National Law Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos Command has arrested 225 illicit drug suspects between January and November this year.

Its Commander, Ralph Igwenagu, said the arrests, which comprised of 187 males and 38 females, saying out of the suspects arrested, 125 who were drug users were counseled and re-integrated into the society.’’

According to Igwenagu, the command within the period also successfully prosecuted and secured 77 convictions of offenders with various jail terms, saying the arrests led to the seizure of 13,408.086kg of different illicit drug substances.

“This consists of 7,710.976kg of Marijuana, also called Cannabis Sativa, 5, 673. 388kg of Tramadol, 22.307g of Diazepam, 30.6g of Raphynol, 387 bottles of cough syrup with codeine.

“Others are: 167.9g of cocaine, 7.7g of Heroin, 1.2092kg of Exol 5 among others.’’

He also said it had through the seizures, saved millions of the country’s youths from the devastating scourge of drug abuse and its associated consequences, saying the command would continue to intensify efforts in the anti- drug push until drug-related problems in the country were eradicated.

The command also said that some of the challenges facing it include: lack of office accommodation for some of its outlets across the state and operational vehicles.

Igwenagu appealed to individuals and corporate organisations for assistance in its areas of need, appealing to the public to always supply its personnel with credible information about those suspected to be indulging in illicit drugs activities for prosecution.

He said the command would not be able to function and achieve results without the cooperation of the members of the public.

The agency boss promised that it would make Lagos State drug-free and called on the residents for their support in achieving a peaceful and a drug- free state.