NDLEA officials

The Imo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has confirmed the arrest of one Uzochi, an alleged notorious drug dealer in the state.

A statement issued in Owerri on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Uche Sampson, stated that Uzochi was arrested on October 18 and was in the agency’s custody.

Sampson described as “spurious”, a petition by one Mr Frank, urging Governor Emeka Ihedioha to order the “unconditional” release of Uzochi by the agency.

Sampson stated that the suspect had been on NDLEA’s criminal watch list for over 18 months before his arrest.

Sampson also stated that previous attempts made to arrest him were unsuccessful “because of his strong counter-intelligence network.”

According to the statement, 150 grammes of dried weeds confirmed to be cannabis sativa were allegedly found in his possession.

He described the offence as a violation of the provisions of NDLEA Act, hence the resolve by the agency to track him down “by means of tactical decoy and subterfuge.”

The NDLEA spokesman said that the suspect was arrested at his residence, where he attempted to escape.

He alleged that the suspect raised false alarm, calling on his criminal associates and sympathisers, who resorted to violence in order to obstruct NDLEA’s legitimate duty.

Sampson alleged that the sympathisers attacked the agency’s operatives and their operational vehicle with machetes, stones, iron and othe dangerous objects.

He said that operatives sustained varying degrees of injuries, while the vehicle was seriously vandalised.

Sampson said that the matter had since been filed before the Federal High Court, Owerri.

He said that after the arrest of the suspect, he was given adequate first aid treatment.

“It is noteworthy that the suspect later volunteered his statement under caution in which he claimed ownership of the 150 grammes of cannabis sativa found in his possession,” he said.

NDLEA spokeman gave assurance that the suspect would continue to enjoy “all the rights relating to care and custody of suspects,” pending his arraignment or transfer to any other detention facility outside the NDLEA.

(NAN)