By ALBERT AKPOR

DETERMINED to win the war against illicit trafficking in hard drugs and other psychotropic substances, operatives of the nation’s anti-drug agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Imo State, over the week, swooped on criminal hideouts where cocaine and other life -taking drugs were being freely sold.

Suspected dealers in the deadly substance were also said to hide under the cover of selling only wraps of cannabis, popularly called Indian Hemp to massively market cocaine.

•Kaku Mshelia ndlea Commander, Imo State

The raid on the hideout yielded positive dividends and led to the arrest of 56 suspects including patrons of the drug haven. The State Commander of the agency, Mr. Mshelia Kaku said his men acted on a tip -off that most cannabis dealers in Imo State also sell other deadly drugs including cocaine and heroin. A visibly elated Kaku said he was poised to ensuring that the state was rid off of the devilish business.

It was revealed that unnamed prominent politicians were patrons to the drug haven. During the raids, 56 suspects made of 50 males and 6 females were rounded up with a total of 191.7 kg of the hard stuff seized. Speaking on the raid and subsequent arrest, Mr .Kaku said, “I resumed duty here on February 20, 2011 and since then the command recorded series of arrests and seizures.

Through our discreete investigation, we were able to discover that those who sell cannabis also deal on cocaine and heroine. With consistent raid, we have successfully apprehended 56 drug dealers and intercepted 191.729kg of illicit drugs in the State. The seized drugs comprise 191.613kg of cannabis, 0.39 grammes of cocaine and 0.79 grammes of heroin.”

Continuing, the commander said, “Most of the major cannabis dealers have been found to be selling cocaine and heroin in pinches within the State. This has made drug addicts in the State poly drug users. That is a situation where they abuse more than one drug.

We are working very hard to drastically reduce the drug problem. We also have a drug counseling and rehabilitation unit that attends to people with drug abuse problem and it has helped many people to live normal life after being hooked on drugs.”

The commander appealed to members of the public to avoid drug trafficking and abuse as well as report drug dealers to the NDLEA office for prompt action. “My advice to members of the public is for them to shun drug trafficking and abuse. Drug trafficking will lead to arrests and seizures while drug abuse will lead to health problems. We need information from members of the public,” he said.

In the mean time, Chairman of the anti-drug agency, Ahmadu Giade has directed the State command to trace the supply chain of illicit drugs in the State as well as keep a tab on drug barons. Expressing shock over the gradual spread of cocaine and heroin to Imo State, Giade said, .

•Charles Okeke, aka India & •Ezeji Christian

“The command must continue to work very hard to identify and break the illicit drug supply chain in Imo State. It is worrisome that type A drugs like cocaine and heroin are gradually finding their way to a place like Owerri. The State government, organizations and individuals should collaborate with the Agency in making the state drug free one.”

One of the drug suspects identified as Christian Ezeji, 47, who was arrested with 60.9kg of cannabis in his confessional statement said he does not sell cannabis but was only keeping it for safe custody. He said, “I live at Onitsha road in Owerri. I do not sell cannabis but I was only trying to be a good man. I only keep cannabis for safe custody.

A man came to me that his vehicle was bad and that I should assist him keep the drug. After one week NDLEA officers came to the house and I was arrested. Now I am paying for doing good” Another notorious drug suspect, Charles Okereke popularly called India who was previously arrested last year was re-arrested over alleged dealing in cannabis.

The commander revealed that “the suspect was first arrested on 9th January 2010 with 3.750kg of cannabis and charged to court. He was granted bail and we re-arrested him on 16th of June 2011 with 800 grammes of cannabis. We are now in court and we look forward to a positive result”.

Charles Okereke who is married with four children said that his biggest regret was the delivery of his last child while in detention. In an emotion-laden voice he said, “I know I have a pending case with the NDLEA before they re-arrested me. My greatest regret is my wife that gave birth to my last child while I am in detention.”

He says he is from Owerri in Imo State. It was gathered that the command has succeeded in the conviction of 10 accused persons while other cases are still pending in court.