The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised the alarm over a
newly discovered drug that has infiltrated Nigeria.
The NDLEA chairman, Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, who
sounded the warning yesterday, vowed to tackle drug trafficking syndicates over
the introduction of the new drug into the country. The drug is called Khat.
Abdallah, while calling on members of the public to
be aware of the development, said that the Agency was prepared to stop all
illegal importation, production and exportation of the illicit drug.
The NDLEA boss further said that the Agency made a
seizure of 65.7kg of Khat between January and June 2016.
He explained: “Khat is a stimulant flowering shrub growing mainly in the native of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The plant which is known as Catha edulis contains two alkaloids, namely cathinone and cathine that act as stimulants. When Khat leaf is chewed like tobacco, it produces a mild euphoria similar to cocaine and amphetamine.”
According to Abdallah, “in the first half of the year 2016, the Agency successfully seized 65.7kg of Khat. We are taking counter narcotic measures calculated at frustrating the activities of drug trafficking organisations. Officers at all border points, airports and seaports are being sensitised on new trends. In addition, operatives at the Special Investigation Assignment Unit are also working very hard to prevent the use of courier companies in smuggling Khat and other narcotics into the country.”
The NDLEA boss urged stakeholders to unite against drug trafficking cartels and work towards a crime free society.
He explained: “Khat is a stimulant flowering shrub growing mainly in the native of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The plant which is known as Catha edulis contains two alkaloids, namely cathinone and cathine that act as stimulants. When Khat leaf is chewed like tobacco, it produces a mild euphoria similar to cocaine and amphetamine.”
According to Abdallah, “in the first half of the year 2016, the Agency successfully seized 65.7kg of Khat. We are taking counter narcotic measures calculated at frustrating the activities of drug trafficking organisations. Officers at all border points, airports and seaports are being sensitised on new trends. In addition, operatives at the Special Investigation Assignment Unit are also working very hard to prevent the use of courier companies in smuggling Khat and other narcotics into the country.”
The NDLEA boss urged stakeholders to unite against drug trafficking cartels and work towards a crime free society.
His words: "The support of stakeholders is
crucial to the success of the drug war. Drug criminals are only concerned about
their monetary gains; we must therefore unite against them."
The Agency arrested 4,838 suspected drug traffickers comprising 4,490 males and 348 females within the first half of the year. Drugs weighing 108, 883.52kgs were also seized between January and June. These drugs include cannabis 74,942.47kg, psychotropic substances 33,425.38kg, ephedrine 201.12kg, methamphetamine 179.74kg, cocaine 54.05kg, heroin 15.11kg and amphetamine 0.0138 grammes.
The Agency arrested 4,838 suspected drug traffickers comprising 4,490 males and 348 females within the first half of the year. Drugs weighing 108, 883.52kgs were also seized between January and June. These drugs include cannabis 74,942.47kg, psychotropic substances 33,425.38kg, ephedrine 201.12kg, methamphetamine 179.74kg, cocaine 54.05kg, heroin 15.11kg and amphetamine 0.0138 grammes.
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