The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Borno Command, on Sunday said it arrested 56 suspected drug traffickers and seized 4.96 tonnes suspected illicit drugs between January and December 2015.

 The Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Ona Ogilegwu, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Maiduguri.

 Ogilegwu said the suspects were arrested during raids and mop-ups conducted by men of the agency within the state capital.

 He said substances as cannabis, rephenol, cough syrup, diazepam, cocaine and heroin, were seized from the suspecfts.

 The NDLEA commander said that the command had secured 12 convictions and counselled 39 suspects, while 17 others were awaiting trial.

 "This year alone, NDLEA has arrested 50 suspects with about 258 kilogrammes of illicit substances, which included 194 kg of cannabis, 64kg of psychotropic substances and 1.7 kg of heroin.

 "Just this month, two notorious drug traffickers, who were arrested with 2.6 tonnes of Indian hemp from Delta state, were sentenced to eight-year jail terms without option of fine.

 "We commend the Federal High Court for giving the NDLEA the full support to prosecute these criminals", Ogilegwu said.

 According to him, the judgment will not only boost the morale of the men of the command but would further deter other barons from their nefarious activities.

 "The NDLEA is determined to fight illicit drug users, our men remain vigilant to fish out all illicit drug dealers in the state’’, the commander said. (NAN)