The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ondo State Command, arrested 150 suspects and seized 7,702.114kg of illicit drugs betwen January and June in the state.
Mr Hakuna Gagara, the State Commander of NDLEA, said this on Friday in Akure while speaking with newsmen in commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Gagara said that 138 of the 150 suspects are males, while the remaining 12 are females.
He added that 7, 702.114kg of hard drugs; comprising: 7, 653.445kg of cannabis sativa, 48.669kg of psychotropic substances and 0.06grams of cocaine were seized by the agency within six months.
Gagara said that the 65 bags of cannabis sativa that were seized today (Friday) at Agunla area of Ogbese in Akure North Local Government Area of the state formed part of the seizures.
“If we must enjoy a drug free and a healthy society devoid of crime, it is imperative that families, government, communities, non governmental organisations, civil society organisations, religious organisations must take necessary steps to counter the rising drug problems in our country.
“The cannabis sativa planters plant the illicit drug in government forest reserves, this has made it difficult for the agency to easily track them,” he said.
He, therefore, solicited the assistance of the public to inform the agency whenever they see such plantations anywhere, including forest reserves.
He emphasised the need for enlightenment programmes to discourage youths from indulging in illicit drug consumption and trafficking.
