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30 hectares of a cannabis sativa, or Indian hemp, plantation in a forest in the Odukpani local government area of Cross River have reportedly been destroyed, according to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

This was said by Mrs. Rachel Umebuali, the state commander of the NDLEA, in a Saturday interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.

She expressed concern that the locals were shielding the drug dealers and added that some suspects were also taken into custody in relation to the destroyed plantation.

163.9 kg of cannabis sativa seed were found on the crop, according to Umebuali.

She also stated that between January and June, the command confiscated 6,716.8 kg of illegal substances.

She provided a breakdown of the numbers, stating that throughout the six months, the NDLEA had confiscated 2935 kg of cannabis sativa.

Other items include 69.7 kg of opioid and babiturate, 5 grams of ecstasy, 47.7 kg of cocaine, 32.3 kg of heroine, 82.7 kg of psychotropics, 33.3 liters of cannabis combination, and 129.6 kg of methamphetamine.

According to Umebuali, the command also detained 191 people at that time.

“15 persons were convicted for various offenses in the period under review,” she said.

The findings, in her opinion, are concerning because the majority of these drug dealers are not state natives.

“They come here and give money to the locals who protect them by not giving out information about their unholy activities.”

According to Umebuali, the command effectively wrapped up this year’s Drug Day, which had as its theme “The Evidence is Clear: Invest In Prevention,” with the enthusiastic assistance of Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu, the state first lady.

“We have also continued to carry out various advocacy programmes in various institutions across the state, with the object of reducing the menace of drug abuse in the society.

“Between January and June this year, we carried out 191 sensitisation outings to schools, market places, churches, mosques, non governmental organisations amongst others,” she said.

According to Umebuali, the command’s difficulties were related to finances and logistics.

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