National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency on Wednesday in Uyo paraded 13 suspected drug traffickers.

The commander, NDLEA, Mrs. Ruth Obi, said one of the offenders, Mr. Ifiok Essien, was arrested after many failed attempts to arrest him. She added that a total of 52.755kg of cannabis was recovered from him.

She said, “The NDLEA operatives at about 4.30am, raided the residence of one Ifiok Sunday Essien, at Use Offot in Uyo and arrested him with 28.250kg of Cannabis Sativa.

“Previously, our operatives went to the suspect’s house on October 6, 2010 and recovered 20.55kg of Cannabis Sativa but he escaped. Also, on February 9, 2011, our operatives raided his residence and recovered 4.450kg of Cannabis Sativa yet again he escaped. In all, the total quantity of Cannabis Sativa recovered from him is 52.755kg.”

According to Obi, a total of 28.351kg of cannabis was seized from the other suspects.

She also told journalists that a drug dealer, Mr. Hamed Badmus, who was arrested with 12.2gms of cocaine by the command on March 21, 2011 at Umoren Street, Uyo, had been sentenced to five years imprisonment without the option of fine.

Obi urged parents to support the battle against drug trafficking by educating their children against the use of illicit drugs.

She said, once this was done, the demand for the drugs would be reduced and convicts would have no reason to return to trafficking upon their release from jail.

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