The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency command in Cross River, says a total of 2.05 tons of hard drugs were seized from drugs peddlers between January and December in the state.

The state commander, Rachel Umebuali, disclosed this in an interview in Calabar on Monday.

Umebuali, who is also the Commander of Narcotics (CN), also disclosed that 223 suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure made in the year under review.

While noting that the suspects included 22 females and 201 males, the commandant listed the seized hard drugs as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and psychotropics.

According to her, 1.64 tonnes of cannabis were seized, while cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and psychoactive substances account for 3.5 grams, 4.3 grams, 81.9 grams and 410.24kg respectively.

While not giving specific figures, Umebuali said several of the suspects were charged in court.

She further explained that the command secured the conviction of some of the suspects, while some of the arrested suspects were also discharged and acquitted by the courts.

The narcotics commander, who bemoaned rising cases of drug abuse among the youths, identified vehicles and motorbikes as the peddlers’ mode of operations.

She said that in spite of some obvious challenges, the command was still able to record huge success in the outgoing year.

According to her, aside from the seizures and arrests made in the outgoing year, they hope to improve on this performance in the coming year.

“Our operations are hampered primarily by inadequate operational vehicles, inaccessible and bad roads, especially during rainy season, cultism and communal crisis.”

(NAN)