The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it had apprehended 239 drug trafficking suspects in Akwa Ibom State between July 2022 and May 2023.

The Commander of NDLEA in Akwa Ibom, Mrs Obot Bassey, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Uyo, said the suspects comprised 197 males and 42 females.

She said the command had secured 59 convictions of drug offenders during the period.

She added that the command seized drugs weighing 1,465.99kg and counselled 160 persons who used drugs and treated and rehabilitated 15 clients during the period.

Part of the text read, “From last year’s celebration till this moment, NDLEA Akwa Ibom State Command has been committed to saving humanity through its mandate of eliminating illicit drugs from homes and streets through arrests, seizures of illicit drugs.

“From July 2022 to May 2023, the State Command arrested a total of 239 suspects made up of 197 males and 42 females. Seized drugs weighing 1, 465.99 kg, convicted 59 drug offenders.”

The state commander also listed the drugs commonly abused in the state to include; cannabis sativa, cocaine, heroin, meth and amphetamine, among other psychotropic substances.