The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Akwa Ibom said it arrested 136 drug traffickers in the last six months.
The command also said that it seized 17.10 grammes of cocaine, 46.6 grammes of heroine, 86.7 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, and 27.5 litres of the drug called “combine”.
The state commander of the agency, Mrs Josephine Obi, disclosed this to newsmen in Uyo on Monday at the commencement of activities to mark the 2012 United Nations Anti-Drug Trafficking and Abuse Day.
Obi said that those arrested were 117 males and 19 females, adding that 21 of them had been convicted.
The theme of this year’s celebration is: “Global Action for Healthy Communities without Drugs”.
The NDLEA boss said that the UN had set aside the day for global awareness of the devastating effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking with a view to sensitise the global community to combat the scourge.
She blamed the proliferation of illicit drugs on individuals, who collaborated with dealers to frustrate efforts by the agency to stop the sales and consumption of the illicit drugs.
Obi lamented that some people did not see anything wrong in the sales and consumption of illicit drugs, but were rather hostile towards the agency, which they saw as disturbing their means of livelihood.
She said, “The challenges of the drug law enforcement are numerous. We lack adequate logistics, finance and facilities.
“However, the most disturbing perhaps with an ironic twist to it, is the situation where the victims themselves side with the dealers to frustrate illicit drug eradication.
“This could be because of ignorance, poverty or wrong education and exposure.
“The purpose of law enforcement is misunderstood and intentions are queried by many would-be victims. However, we are convinced that we are life-savers and remain committed to the drug war.”
Obi said that many of the places previously raided by the agency had resumed full drugs operations, but gave the assurance that the agency would do all it could to stamp out the tide.
“We need the public to assist us, especially in the area of community action to stop the joints used by these drug dealers,’’ she said.