AWKA, Anambra State — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Anambra State Command, has arrested 559 suspects and secured 128 convictions in its ongoing crackdown on illicit drug trafficking and abuse over the past 11 months.
The State Commander, Charles Onubogu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Awka during a press briefing ahead of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed annually on June 26. According to Onubogu, the suspects comprised 475 males and 84 females arrested for various drug-related offences across the state.
He added that the command recorded significant successes in its operations, recovering approximately 1.8 tonnes of illicit substances, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and cannabis, within the review period. “Since I came into the command about 11 months ago, we have made seizures of more than a tonne of different categories of drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis,” he said. “In all, about 1.8 tonnes of illicit substances have been recovered, with a total of 559 suspects arrested and 128 convictions secured within the last 11 months.”
The commander described the achievements as evidence of the progress being made in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse in Anambra State. He also revealed that the command rehabilitated 102 persons battling substance abuse during the period, comprising 99 males and three females. Onubogu noted that 20 individuals with drug-related challenges received counselling and vocational training in skills such as soap-making and tailoring at the agency’s rehabilitation centre located in the 33 Area of Onitsha.
He further explained that the agency maintains a team of lawyers responsible for prosecuting drug-related cases, adding that the command focuses on targeting dealers rather than users. “We do not go after users. Those we target are the dealers, while users are counselled under our quick intervention programme. After investigation, those not linked to drug dealing are allowed to return home,” he stated.
