The Anambra State Command of the National Drug
Law Enforcement Agency has said the attitude of
some judges is not helping matters in the crusade
against drug offenders.
The state Commander of the agency, Mr. Sule
Momodu, stated this on Sunday in Awka, the state
capital, in a chat with our correspondent.
He said some judges treat drug matters before them
with levity.
Quoting the NDLEA Act, he said most drug offences
were punishable by 15 to 25 years jail terms upon
conviction. But he regretted that some judges often
pass sentences far below these for convicted
offenders.
He added that in some cases, the agency would pass
through excruciating moments to arrest some drug
offenders, only to see such people granted court
bails shortly.
Momodu said the war against illicit drug should be
everybody's concern, noting that every criminality
would always begin with drug abuse.
The NDLEA boss said the command impounded 133.4
kilogrammes of cannabis sativa from one Chidiebere
Mnezie, who masqueraded as a trader at the Onitsha
Main Market in July.
He said Mnezi was now helping the agency.
He gave the names of three other suspects in the
agency's net as Izuchukwu Obi, Patrick Ohanazoeze,
and Chigozie Ogaze.
He said a total of 150.535 kilogrammes of drugs were
impounded in the state in the month of July, while
the agency secured two convictions at the Federal
High Court on drug offenders in the same month.
He listed the unit drugs as cocaine, heroin and
cannabis sativa.
Momodu explained that the drugs were brought into
the state mostly through the River Niger.
While commending the state Governor, Chief Willie
Obiano, for his assistance to the command, Momodu
urged him to fulfil his promise of providing the
agency with speed boats to enable it patrol the
waterways in the area, saying the agency's four boats
had grounded.
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