Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ebonyi state weekend said it arrested 170 suspected drug traffickers and intercepted over 130 kilogrammes of hard drugs and other illicit substances in a sweeping crackdown across the state.
The Ebonyi State Commander of the agency, Jude Amaefule, disclosed this on Friday in Abakaliki while briefing journalists on the command’s operational scorecard for the first quarter of 2026.
Amaefule said the arrests, made between January and March 2026, involved 146 male suspects and 24 females allegedly linked to drug trafficking and abuse networks operating within the state.
He added that two of the suspects had already been convicted, while investigations and prosecutions of others were ongoing.
The NDLEA boss revealed that operatives seized a total of 130.986kg of illicit substances during raids and intelligence-led operations carried out in different parts of the state.
According to him, the confiscated drugs included large quantities of cannabis sativa, methamphetamine, tramadol, diazepam, co-codamol, pentazocine, ergometrine and ecstasy.
He gave a breakdown of the seizures to include 85.733kg of cannabis sativa, 711 capsules of 100mg tramadol, 303 pinches of methamphetamine weighing 0.0617kg, 723 tablets of diazepam weighing 0.105kg, and 487 ampoules of pentazocine weighing 1.670kg.
Amaefule described the figures as a clear indication of the growing threat posed by illicit drug trafficking and abuse, warning that the agency would intensify operations against drug cartels and peddlers in the state.
Beyond enforcement, he said the command was also strengthening rehabilitation and counselling efforts for victims of substance abuse.
“We rehabilitated and discharged nine clients and admitted 11 others within the period under review. Currently, 13 clients are receiving rehabilitation in our facility,” he said.
The commander further disclosed that 52 suspects comprising 49 males and three females were referred to the command’s counselling unit for evaluation and treatment.
Reaffirming the agency’s resolve to rid the state of illicit drugs, Amaefule warned traffickers and dealers to abandon the trade or face the full weight of the law.
He also appealed to residents to support the agency with credible information that could help in tracking drug syndicates and reducing substance abuse in communities across Ebonyi State.
