In its efforts to curb drug trafficking and abuse, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested no fewer than 262 suspected drug offenders and destroyed about eight hectares of cannabis farms in Cross River State within seven months, the State Commander, Anteyi John, has disclosed.

Briefing newsmen in Calabar ahead of the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, John said the suspects, arrested between November 2025 and May 2026, comprised 207 males and 55 females, as the agency intensified enforcement operations across the state.

According to him, NDLEA operatives seized a total of 6,575.009 kilogrammes of illicit substances during the period under review. The seizures included 6,397.59095kg of Cannabis Sativa, 1.465kg of cannabis seeds, 60.4 grammes of cocaine, 20.17 grammes of heroin, 778.64 grammes of methamphetamine and 166.36673kg of psychotropic substances.

He stated that the volume of drugs recovered ranks among the largest recorded by the Cross River Command in recent years, even as the agency’s intensified campaign against illicit cultivation has led to the destruction of about eight hectares of cannabis farms in the Uyanga community in the Akamkpa Local Council Area of the state.

The farms, John said, were destroyed during separate operations on April 7 and 25, 2026.

Meanwhile, the commander disclosed that the NDLEA secured 28 convictions within the period, comprising 20 males and eight females, adding that 132 cases are pending at the high court, while 61 have been charged by the agency’s legal unit.

Beyond enforcement, John said the command’s counselling unit rehabilitated and supported services to 138 persons, including 106 males and 32 females. The agency also carried out 99 sensitisation programmes under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign in schools, communities and workplaces, reaching 156,556 people across the states.

Also speaking, Chairperson of the Cross River State Drug Control Committee and wife of the governor, Mrs Eyoanwan  Otu, pledged to intensify advocacy against drug abuse and trafficking, calling for collective action to address the growing menace.