An 80-year-old man has been arrested in Ekiti alongside others for alleged involvement in the trafficking of methamphetamine. The arrest was made on March 26 by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Mosafuneto camp, Erinmo Road, Efon-Alaaye. The suspect was found to be in possession of 2.2kg of suspected skunk and 1.8 grammes of suspected methamphetamine.
On the same day, NDLEA operatives raided an uncompleted building in Ogbese, Akure North area of Ondo State, and seized 894.72kg of the psychoactive substance. Another suspect was arrested in Benue on March 24 after a raid at Pevi village, Guma LGA, where 116.7kg of suspected skunk was recovered.
The agency also reported that on March 23, a warehouse in Ekpoma town, Esan West LGA, was uncovered, leading to the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of 576.5kg of suspected skunk and 33 bottles of codeine-based syrup. In Taraba, NDLEA officers intercepted a truck on March 24, which was found to be carrying 100 blocks of compressed suspected skunk weighing 135 kilogrammes.
The NDLEA has been conducting social advocacy activities across the country as part of its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.
The NDLEA's efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs are commendable, but the arrest of an 80-year-old grandpa raises questions about the extent of the problem. The sheer quantity of psychoactive substances seized in recent days suggests a deep-rooted issue that requires urgent attention from law enforcement agencies. The NDLEA's social advocacy activities, such as the WADA sensitisation lectures, are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of drug abuse. The arrest of two suspects in Taraba highlights the need for increased vigilance at border checkpoints. The NDLEA must continue to work tirelessly to disrupt the supply chain of illicit drugs and bring perpetrators to justice.
