Navy Arrests 20 Hard Drug Paddlers In Anambra

            odogwuemekaodogwu.blogspot.com reports that the Nigerian Navy, today, arrested 20 hard drug paddlers in Nsugbe near Onitsha in Anambra State following an intelligent tip-off of the activities of hard drug users in the community.

The Commanding Officer of Navy Out-Post, Onitsha, Navy Capt. Mike Oamen, while briefing newsmen in Onitsha, noted that those arrested were selling and smuggling bags of hard drugs such as cannabis and other body and brain stimulants in the community, adding that the fight against illicit drug, criminals and their syndicates could be won through the operation.

He stressed that the navy had assured the State Governo, Chief Willie Obianor that Onitsha and its environs would never  be a haven and breeding ground for criminals and people with evil intentions.

“After exhaustive discussion especially at the Security Council meeting, we decided that we begin to look at how to reduce to the barest minimum, the availability of illegal drugs in Onitsha, Obosi; so that it would also have an impact on the level of crime and criminality within the state. We try to work on getting intelligence, credible intelligence, actionable intelligence so that we swoop on them.

``And it is beginning to yield dividends because the crime rate has reduced and we continue to sustain the efforts.

``So, the NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency) will now do their work, sort them out; those ones that would be prosecuted.  We have intensified  patrol on water too.

He noted that traditional rulers had given their unrelenting support to the restoration of security in Onitsha and its environs by volunteering information that led to arrest and dislodge of criminal elements in their various communities.

Francis Ekpone