By Deborah Ogedemgbe
The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confiscated illicit drugs valued more than N10.7 billion in Benin city.
The State Commander of the Agency, Mr Buba Wakawa, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Benin, that seven suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Wakawa, who gave a run- down of the command’s achievements during the third quarter of 2016, said the seven suspects were arrested with 34.2 Kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.
He described Methamphetamine as more dangerous and harmful than cocaine, adding that it was not commonly known to ordinary people on the street.
According to him, the confiscated drug has a street value of about $700,000 per kilogramme, which translates to 23.9 million dollars.
The commander also put the estimated value of the seized drug at about N10.7 billion.
He said the suspects, who concealed the substance in 102 cartons of HP computer printer cartridges, were arrested on Sept. 24, on Lagos- Benin-Asaba Expressway.
Wakawa disclosed that the command also arrested 69 other suspects during the period under review for alleged drug trafficking.
He said that nine out of the 69 suspects were women, adding that two of them had been charged to court.
Wakama said that the total narcotic confiscated during the period weighed 2, 156.1 Kilogrammes.
He listed the drugs to include 1, 911 kilogrammes of Indian hemp, 34.2 Kilogrammes of Methamphetamine, 3.5 gramms of cocaine, 129 kilogrammes of Tramadol and 82 kilogrammes of Diazepam.
The NDLEA commander added that 11.514 hectares of cannabis sativa were destroyed during the period and five vehicles impounded.
According to him, the command currently has 162 cases pending in various courts in the state.
