National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed about 12, 366 kilogrammes of illegal drugs seized from dealers and consumers in Kaduna.
The illegal drugs include Indian Hemp, Psychotropic substances, cocaine and heroin.
In a statement by NDLEA spokesperson, Mr Mitchel Ofoyeju, Chairman of the agency, Mr Ahmadu Giade was quoted as saying “The NDLEA Act mandates us under section 3 sub-section 1 (i) to take measures for the early destruction or disposal of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances which have been seized, confiscated or forfeited.
“Public destruction of drugs is therefore a continuous exercise in our quest to have a drug-free and secured society and the world at large.”
Giade, who was represented by the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services of the agency, Mr Sunday Joseph added that “We have the permission of the court to publicly destroy a total of 12,366kgs of narcotic drugs.
“The breakdown of the drugs is as follows: Cannabis Sativa also known as Indian hemp constitutes the bulk of the drugs with 12,351.938kgs. “Psychotropic substances are 13.443kgs, Cocaine 63g and Heroin 57g.”
He explained that the World Drug Report of 2015 estimates that a total of 246 million people or 1 out of 20 people between the ages of 15 and 64 years used an illicit drug in 2013.
He said “Nigeria used to be a transit point because of the activities of drug cartels that import drugs from drug producing countries to Nigeria before smuggling same to Europe, Asia and America.
“However, the situation is changing as Nigeria is gradually becoming a producer country.
“Apart from the cultivation of cannabis, the agency has discovered 10 clandestine laboratories used for the production of methamphetamine in the past five years,’’ it said. It noted that while calling for more support from the public, Giade promised to intensify investigation of suspected drug dealers to bring them to book and ensure the forfeiture of their ill-gotten wealth.
“Many students have dropped out of school on account of drugs, while others are in prison custody for trafficking narcotics. “Drug addiction has confined many addicts to treatment centres and psychiatric hospitals over mentally induced ailments, while some have died prematurely.
“The sad stories of children who murdered their parents, siblings and neighbours under the influence of drugs are timely warnings.”
The drugs were burnt in in Kufena, Zaria area of the State.