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From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday destroyed seized illicit drugs estimated at over N1 billion in Delta State.
The drugs weighing 5,723.310kg, were destroyed through public burning at Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state.
The burning followed an order of the Federal High Court, Asaba and Warri divisions, mandating the agency to publicly destroy illicit drugs exhibit in respect of cases that have been concluded from 2018 to 2022.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Major Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.), said the public destruction is dedicated to the late Ivan Omhonria, the two-year old minor who was killed by stray bullet last Thursday in Okpanam area of Delta State where operatives of NDLEA were chasing drug barons.
Marwa who was represented by the commander in charge of Zone M, Fidelis Kokodia, expressed distaste and displeasure over the tragic incident.
“With a heavy heart, I wish to say that the public destruction of seized drugs in Delta State is dedicated to the minor that paid the supreme price with his life in the struggle towards making Delta State safe and secure through drug control activities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the hero of the drug war,” he said.
Delta State Commander of NDLEA, Mr. John Tunde, listed the destroyed drugs as cannabis sativa, 5.614 tonnes; cocaine, 416.77 grammes; methamphetamine, 105.12 grammes; heroin, 98.2 grammes; tramadol, 20.264 grammes; swinol/rophynol, 1.867kg; diazepam, 8.355kg; and pentazocine, 1.2kg.
Mr. Tunde regretted that Delta ranked first in drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the entire South-South, according to the 2018 UNODC brief survey report.
“It is also worrisome to note that the largest as most sophisticated clandestine laboratory for the production of methamphetamine was discovered in Asaba, Delta State. This drug is very dangerous, addictive and lethal,” Tunde said.
He appealed to the state government “to assist the command in the area of logistics to enable us carry out our mandate more effectively.”
