The Bayelsa State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its efforts in the War Against Drug Abuse campaign, resulting in the arrest of 27 suspected illicit drug dealers.

These arrests took place between September and early October 2023, with operations conducted at various locations within the state.

Commander Matthew Ewah, head of the NDLEA in Bayelsa State, made this announcement during a press briefing held at the command headquarters in Yenagoa, the state capital, on Tuesday.

The 27 suspects apprehended during this period consisted of 25 males and two females.

During the operations, the NDLEA also seized a substantial amount of illegal substances, totaling 491.032 kilograms.

The confiscated illicit substances included cannabis sativa (1.048 kg), methamphetamine (0.01 kg), cocaine (0.006 kg), tramadol (1,054 tablets, 0.03 kg), Swinol (109 tablets, 0.015 kg), Diazepam injection (four ampoules), Diazepam (636 tablets, 0.551 kg), and Codeine (4 1/2 bottles, 0.7 kg).

Commander Ewah further disclosed that the command had also seized abandoned illicit substances, including cannabis sativa (448.616 kg), tramadol (0.029 kg), Swinol (0.02 kg), and methamphetamine (0.007 kg).

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In addition to these drug-related operations, the NDLEA reported the recovery of 19 rounds of live ammunition of 9mm caliber and 125 rounds of live ammunition cartridges.

Moreover, suspects involved in robbery and rape cases were apprehended during these operations and subsequently handed over to the police for further investigation.

Highlighting a significant seizure, Commander Ewah mentioned the interception of 432 kg of cannabis sativa on September 27, 2023.

This massive seizure, found abandoned in a white Mercedes Benz J5 bus along SAIPEM Road Opolo, Yenagoa, marks the largest drug confiscation in the history of the Bayelsa State Command of the NDLEA. The commander credited the success of this operation to credible intelligence and effective profiling.

Furthermore, the NDLEA continued its efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse, as evidenced by the recent recovery of 48 kg of cannabis sativa along the East-West Road by a motorized patrol team.