The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Bayelsa State Command, says its agents have intercepted and arrested about 14 suspected drug traffickers in different parts of Yenagoa and its surrounding communities.
The command said it has also seized a total of 7.1499 kilogrammes of cocaine and other narcotic drugs.
Ikenna Osakwe, the agency’s spokesman, who revealed this in a statement on Thursday, said the feat was achieved in their operations in January 2016.
He said it was worthy of note that 4.9 grams of cocaine discovered by the operatives was deceptively concealed inside a sealed pharmaceutical product.
Osakwe disclosed that the hidden cocaine was discovered by the operatives who were on a motorized patrol along the East-West Road while being conveyed to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in a branded commercial bus.
His words: “The illicit drug was deceptively concealed inside a packet of a sealed pharmaceutical product. The actors in this offence have been arrested and the matter is under investigation.
“We wish to use this medium to advise commercial transport companies and drivers to verify the contents of consignments given to them for delivery. This is to avoid arrest and prosecution of their staff, corporate entities and even forfeiture of their vehicles.
“In the month of January 2016, a total of 14 suspects were arrested for different drug offences. Of this number, nine are males while five are females.
“The suspects were arrested at different locations within the state capital as well as surrounding communities. A total of 7.1499kg of different drugs were seized from the arrested persons.”
He,therefore,warned all illegal drug dealers that the agency would not tolerate their activities in the state, saying that no matter their tactics, they would surely be caught and dealt with.
He also urged parents, guardians and well-meaning people of the state to be watchful in their communities and report illegal drug activities to the command for appropriate action.
“The Command also wishes to invite members of the general public to take advantage of professional counselling services being offered by the NDLEA if they have relatives with drug-related challenges.”
He pleaded with residents of the state to partner with the Agency to carry out the war against illicit drugs, which he said could only be achieved through collective efforts.