The National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency says it has arrested 185 suspects and seized 247.495 kilogrammes of different illegal drugs and psychotropic substances in Bayelsa State in 2014.
State Commander, NDLEA, Mr. Frank Hanachor, also said the agency secured 25 convictions last year. He, however, did not indicate the number of male and female suspects that were apprehended.
Hanachor made this known at Okutukutu, Yenagoa, while parading six suspected drug dealers including a 53-year-old woman that were arrested recently in some parts of the state.
The names of the paraded suspects were given as Mrs. Sinorobo John; Erikefe Oparafe; Benedict Uju; Ebi Famoh; Odju Benjamin and Onyebuchi Nwanze.
Hanachor said the 53-year-old John was arrested in possession of 20.9 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa while Oparafe and Uju were arrested with 58kg and 10.3kg of the same illicit drugs respectively.
He said Nwanze was arrested with 1.4grammes of substances suspected to be cocaine while Famoh and Benjamin were apprehended with 28.3kg of cannabis sativa.
Hanachor said John was arrested in Opokuma/Kolokuma area of the state while Erikefe was arrested on East-West Road. He said the suspects could have been taken to court but for strike by judiciary workers, stressing that as soon as the judiciary resumed duties in the state, the suspects would be arraigned in court.
He warned residents against dealing or using illicit drugs, saying they could only mar their lives with no benefits whatsoever.
The State Commander said, “Drugs cannot make you, they will rather mar you. To the end users, they get them knocked off, withdrawn, cause problems at home and other dangerous consequences.
“So, I advice that you don’t touch drugs,  keep off drugs. Do the society a world of good by reporting those engaged in the nefarious activities to the relevant authorities. I can assure you we will protect your confidentiality.”
One of the suspects, John, confessed to the crime, saying she had done the business for five years.
The 53-year-old woman said she engaged in it to enable her  raise money to take care of her three children. She claimed that she was compelled to carry on with the illegal business because her husband, who used to be their breadwinner, had been ill for many years.
She appealed to the authorities to temper justice with mercy, saying poverty pushed her into the business, even though she knew it was illegal.