The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seized 460.34 kg of illicit drugs in Akwa Ibom State in 2022 and arrested 348 suspects.
The NDLEA commander in the state, Obot Bassey, told journalists in Uyo on Wednesday that those arrested were 302 males and 46 females.
The seized illicit drugs included 231.377 kg of cannabis, 2.611 kg of cocaine, 0.919 kg of heroin, 0.032 kg of meth, 92.803 kg of amphetamine, and 133.196 kg of other psychotropic substances.
Bassey said the command also secured 58 convictions of drug dealers and users in 2022, rehabilitated 15 persons, and counseled 265 others.
In addition, 2.786 tonnes of seized drugs were burnt in 2022.
“Of spectacular notes were arrests and seizure of 90kg amphetamine with a street value of N2.5 billion and 2.6kg of cocaine.
“The drugs would have done a lot of damage to families, communities, and to the state, if they had not been seized,’’ Bassey stressed.
She said Uyo Local Government Area recorded the highest rate of drug abuse out of the 31 local government areas in Akwa Ibom.
It was closely followed by Ikot Ekpene Local Government and Itu Local Government Areas.
