The Taraba state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), had in a sting operation discovered a drug syndicate known as “Italian Mafia” in Jalingo, during which a 29-year-old kingpin, Kenneth Okeosisi, from Imo state, was arrested and a variety of illicit drugs confiscated from them.
Speaking with a select number of journalists at the Command headquarters in Jalingo Thursday, the Command’s Spokesman, Effiong Archibong, narrated how they were able to crack down on the drug syndicate which specializes in producing cough syrups mixed with codeine.
“We stumbled on information that a syndicate is here in the State to provide locally made drugs called expectorants with codeine so that ill-informed youths would always get hooked on to it. They came with the name the “Italian Mafia” and they started the production. Fortunately for us, we were able to catch up with them. We stormed their residence on 54, Palace Way here in Jalingo and the Principal suspect was apprehended while others escaped. We carted away some locally produced cough expectorants with some psychotropic substances which they have injected into it. Fortunately, the Principal suspect had been convicted by Justice Pam two days ago at the Federal High Court 3 here in Jalingo”, he stated.
According to the Spokesman, the command discovered the syndicate had started production about two or three months ago but that they were able to crack down on them before their illicit trade would get to the unsuspecting public.
He noted that the syndicate wanted to exploit the high demand for the substance in Jalingo but that the criminals were oblivious of the structural change in NDLEA in the state.
“The Management is ever ready to ensure that nobody comes here and have a field day in the production of all these drugs that would destroy the society, so the officers are ready than ever before”, he boasted.
On the secret of the recent success of the command, Archibong attributed it to the synergy with the public which came as a result of public enlightenment. He stated that “we have discovered that going out of supply was not giving the actual result, so we had to match supply with public enlightenment, counseling, and rehabilitation. So with the level of public awareness, the society has become friendlier. They have started knowing that we are working for them and not the government. So they have begun coming up with useful information which has opened all doors to give the drug merchants a ‘dirty slap.’
He further disclosed that in the past one month, the Command has secured eleven convictions and that they had to go after those that have proven to be unrepentant after going to jail, saying those unrepentant ones are currently languishing in prison having been convicted.
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