The Bayelsa State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 620 suspected drug offenders and seized 477.668 kilograms of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances over the past year, underscoring the scale of the fight against drug trafficking and abuse in the state.
State Commander and Controller of Narcotics, CN Kanu S. Chukwuemeka, disclosed the figures on Friday during a media briefing in Yenagoa to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “World Drug Problems: Resisting Issues with New Challenges,” Chukwuemeka said the campaign reflects the evolving nature of drug-related crimes and the growing burden they pose to law enforcement agencies.
A breakdown of the arrest records showed that 429 of the suspects were male while 191 were female, bringing the total number to 620.
The NDLEA chief said the command’s seizures included 52,740 tablets and capsules of psychotropic substances, 1,152 ampoules of injectable drugs, 208 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup, and 437.203 litres of cannabis-infused alcohol popularly known as “monkey tail” or “koskorin.”
According to him, the combined weight of narcotic and psychotropic substances intercepted during the period stood at 477.668 kilograms.
Beyond enforcement, Chukwuemeka said the command had strengthened its rehabilitation and counselling programmes, with 591 persons undergoing drug tests and treatment interventions, while 29 individuals were admitted into rehabilitation facilities.
He added that the agency had continued to pursue the prosecution of drug offenders, recording 18 fresh cases, securing 17 convictions and handling 62 cases currently before the courts.
The commander expressed concern over the increasing abuse of psychotropic substances and cannabis-based concoctions among young people between the ages of 21 and 25, describing the trend as a major public health and security challenge.
To address the problem, he said the command had intensified drug abuse awareness campaigns in secondary schools and communities across the state.
Chukwuemeka commended the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohammed Buba Marwa, for what he described as visionary leadership that has strengthened the agency’s operations nationwide. He also acknowledged the support of Douye Diri, noting that the Bayelsa State Government had remained responsive to the command’s operational needs.
The World Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed annually to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and to mobilise collective action against the global drug menace.