The Anambra State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency [NDLEA] has arrested 76 persons for allegedly trafficking in Indian hemp in the first quarter of 2020.

The NDLEA said the suspects included six women.

The command also said it seized 7034.80kg of illicit drugs in the period under review.

The state Commander of the NDLEA, Mohammed Idris, stated this during a press briefing in Awka.

He added that the agency also seized psychotropic substances such as methamphetamine weighing 0.0584kg as well as tramadol tablets weighing 17.335kg.

Idris said,

“On assumption of office in November last year, I moved into action and confiscated 295.3624kg of cannabis sativa, 0.0740kg of cocaine and 0.0102kg of heroin.

“76 suspects were arrested within the period under review, out of which 70 were males and six were females.

“We secured eight convictions, filed a total of 20 fresh cases and arraigned six suspects during the period.

“We have 135 cases pending at the Federal High Court, Awka, as well as one case at the Court of Appeal.”

According to him, the agency is not only carrying out the arrest and prosecution of illicit drug dealers, but is also rendering services such as counselling and rehabilitation of drug users.

Expressing appreciation to Governor Willie Obiano for his assistance to the agency, the NDLEA boss warned illicit drug dealers in the state to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law.