The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested 44 persons suspected to be dealing in illicit drugs in Anambra State between April and September this year.

The Commander of the agency in the state, Mohammed Idris, who disclosed this on Wednesday in Awka, said four of the suspects were females.

He said 19 of the suspects were found culpable after investigations and would be prosecuted, adding that the rest were referred to rehabilitation centres for counselling.

“The agency confiscated about two tonnes of illicit drugs, consisting of 1,720kg of cannabis sativa; 0.210 tonnes of crystalline methamphetamine; 5,000 tablets of tramadol; about 10,481 tablets of Diazepam and 2.1 litres of cough syrup with codeine, among others,” Idris stated.

The NDLEA commander, who regretted the challenges the agency had in arraigning suspects as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, said it secured 11 convictions from previous arrests in the period.

READ ALSO Appeal court declares Police Act 2020 illegal, nullifies constable recruitment

He said the agency was restricted to specialised operations during the period under review because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expressing delight over the significant improvement recorded by the agency within the period, the NDLEA boss called on the people of the state to assist the agency in the fight against illicit drugs by providing information to the command.

He assured the people of the state of the command’s commitment to reducing the demand and supply of illicit drugs.