The Ebonyi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA on Tuesday said it has arrested 43 males and 4 females over drug peddling and other drug related offenses within the first quarter of 2016 in the state.

Briefing newsmen at the command headquarters at Ntezi in Ishielu local government area of the state, the Commander of the Agency, Barr. Raph Igwenagu who spoke through his Public Relations Officer, Mr. Silas Orji said the Command had taken possession of about 170.500 kilograms of different types of drugs including cocaine from suspects arrested by the Command.

According to him, 18 drug dealers had so far been convicted, 15 were counseled while 3 others are still undergoing various stages of rehabilitation.

He stated that the Command in a bid to reduce the menace of drug abuses and trafficking had been carrying out sensitisation programmes to schools and other institutions across the state.

Igwenagu who revealed that the command was able to record notable successes through strategic surveillance, synergy with other sister agencies, vigilante groups and regular patrols called on youths in the state to desist from engaging in drug related offenses.

“I want to advise youths to keep away from drug abuses as there is no future in the intake of hard drugs. If you are a youth and you have finished schooling, please look for legitimate trade to engage in. A drug addict can ruin the future of any family”.