By Ibironke Ariyo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) has seized N815.8million worth of drugs between January and December 2024 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
The FCT Commander, Mr. Kabir Tsakuwa disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Tsakuwa said the illegal drugs seized by the command in 2024 stood at 10,356.027kg.
He said the illegal drugs consisted of 10,220.514 kg of Cannabis sativa (Indian hemp), 0.393 kg of cocaine, 19.186 kg of diazepam and 3.603 kg of methamphetamine.
He also cited other drugs seized as including 5.730 kg of Rohypnol, 104.285 kg of Tramadol, 2.18 kg of Pentazocine, 0.136 kg of Ecstasy and 293.1 litres of Codeine syrup.
Tsakuwa said the command made many seizures in the same year, adding that most of the seizures were recorded during the period under investigation.
He said: “Through our intelligence efforts, in February 2024, we recorded 676.5kg of Cannabis sativa in a truck from Akure, Ondo State.
“In the same month, we also made seizures of 1,961.5kg and 89.0kg of Cannabis sativa from Edo and Ondo States.
“In May 2024, we also recorded a major seizure of 511 bags of Cannabis sativa weighing 4,752.0 kilograms.
“He was hiding in an LPG tanker/trailer intercepted on Abaji/Abuja expressway and an arrest was made in connection with the seizure and the truck carrying the marijuana originated from Ondo State.
“In June 2024, we also recorded another major seizure of 454 blocks of Cannabis sativa weighing 340.8 kilograms.
“He was hiding in a white Nissan Hilux vehicle in Kuje area of the FCT. “This time, the drugs were from Edo State,” he said.
“In July of the same year, we also recorded the seizure of 1,132 bottles (113.2 litres) of codeine syrup and 18.0 kg of various drugs including Tramadol, Rohypnol and Diazepam in Onitsha, Anambra State.
“In November 2024, we also recorded the seizure of 755.50 kg of Cannabis sativa in a truck from Ogbese, Ondo State.
“The street value of all the drugs seized in 2024 is estimated at N815,813,797,” he said.
All the cases, including the others, are currently being processed, he said.
Tsakuwa said many suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure and arraigned before the Federal Courts in the FCT,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tsakuwa said financial investigations are being carried out in collaboration with the Directorate of Assets and Financial Investigations (DAFI) of the agency.
He said the command ensured the final seizure of evidence worth N6,643,530 which was recovered from the crime scene along with drug evidence.
“Similarly, evidence worth N1,069,250 was seized in connection with closed drug cases.
“These amounts are to be deposited into an electronic collection account for transmission to the Central Bank of Nigeria in accordance with the court order.
“By the same court order, the command obtained final seizure of abandoned property seized from the scene of crime as well as drug evidence and also obtained a destruction order.
“For instance, the baron’s property was seized in Kuje area of the FCT.
“Also, legal proceedings are ongoing against some barons who were arrested for the seizure of cannabis sativa and other drugs,” he said.
