NDLEA arrests epileptic patient, 9 others over illicit drugs in Onitsha

TEN persons have been arrested for allegedly dealing on hard drugs. This is as the state Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA resumed its raids of various parks and markets in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra state.

Some of the men were arrested in possession of different quantities of cannabis sativa.

The parks raided include Lagos, Aba and Benin Parks, as well as Kara market Iyiowa Odekpe in Ogbaru Local Government Area all in Onitsha.

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The arrested men include one Rufus who is said to have been caught and released about three weeks ago for want of evidence. This time around, he admitted dealing on cannabis sativa because, according to him, he is epileptic patient and cannot do any other business.

For some others including Chika Onwe, Chinedu, Chinonso, Israel and Arinze, it is a claim of not guilty as charged, as they cry out for being implicated for nothing.

However at Benin Park, it turned rowdy as suspects resisted arrest, breaking bottles and threatening to fight.

The Head of the Park, Mr Chukwujekwu Nwoye said operators of the park do not sell drugs, although some of them smoke since they do hard work.

Reacting to the arrests, the State Commander, Mr Sule Momodu cautioned drug dealers to relocate out of the state or get ready to face the full weight of the law as the agency will not relent in the discharge of its duties.