The NDLEA spokesman, Mr. Ikenna Osakwe, in a statement on Friday, said that the suspects were arrested in March, within the Yenagoa metropolis and on the East-West Road area of Bayelsa.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bayelsa State Command, yesterday, said it has arrested 24 suspected drug traffickers in the state.
According to the agency, 20 of the suspects are males while four are females.
Osakwe, a Superintendent of Narcotics and Principal Staff Officer, Public Affairs, said during the period, 8.706kg of illicit drugs were seized.
He said: “It is worthy of note that of the above quantities, Cannabis Sativa and psychotropic substances accounted for a substantial part of the recovered illicit drugs.
“It is becoming worrisome that adolescents and youths are adopting novel means of substance abuse in our communities which has led to the rise in illegal sale and consumption of psychotropic substances in the state.”
He called on parents and guardians to increase their vigilance and monitor their children and wards closely at home and in the school.
“Irrespective of the fact that criminality is not the exclusive reserve of any gender, it is becoming increasingly regrettable that women who should be home and by extension, nation builders, are becoming more involved in illicit drug dealing. This raises even more concern when the women in question are mothers or expectant mothers.”
He said: “This is to ensure timely intervention where substance abuse is noticed. They are also encouraged to avail themselves of information on latest trends in substance abuse to ensure possible identification where and when it occurs.
