The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed concern over a surge in illicit drug activities in the state, noting that drugs are being sold and distributed with the same ease as sachet water.

Daily Post reports that Callys Alumona, the new Commander of of the agency, made the remarks on Thursday during a visit to the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House in Benin City.

Alumona, who said the agency had visited some hotspots for the sale of illicit drugs in Benin metropolis, noted that drugs are being hawked like pure water in the areas.

According to him, “We have been to Ihama and Country Home Hotel Roads and other hotspots for sale of illicit drugs in the State. What we saw was not pleasing at all. Drugs are being hawked like pure water in these areas.

“This experience has led us to begin to raid some of these places identified. We have raided Ihama about three times to get these people.”

He added that about 12 drug abusers have been apprehended and are currently being rehabilitated.

He also added that about 14,000 tonnes of cannabis sativa have been destroyed in the state while about 153,000 kilograms of cannabis and other assorted drugs have been mopped up from the streets.

In his remarks, Obaseki accused some officers of the agency of being responsible for the boom of illicit drug business in the state, alleging that they collude with sellers and users.

Obaseki, represented by his Chief of Staff, Osaigbovo Iyoha, said there were over 15 hotspots where illicit drugs are being traded that the government are monitoring.

He said some of the officers of the agency allegedly came to the hotspots for settlement and allow the illicit business to continue.

“I can show you the hotspots around Benin City. We have over 15 hotspots which we are monitoring. The drug business is troubling because some officers collude with these drug sellers and users.

“A breach of intelligence report may have been responsible for the death of some of your men in Edo North during one of your operations to raid drug spots”, he alleged.

Obaseki also alleged that a breach of intelligence report may have been responsible for the death of some officials of the agency during one of their operations to raid drug spots in Edo North.

He said his government is strengthening collaboration with the NDLEA and other sister security agencies to improve strategies and efforts at combating the drug menace in the State.

While adding that the state government was empowering youths in the State to discourage them from substance abuse and other social vices, he commended the new commander for raiding hotspots in the State and other efforts to end the menace in Edo.

“The issue of drugs for us is a problem that we are taking seriously as an administration because the drug problem leads to other criminal activities. Most accidents occur as a result of the abuse and use of drugs.

“You have a lot to do as we will collaborate with you and other sister security agencies to win the war against this drug issue. Nobody can do it alone. Synergy will help us succeed and win against all odds”, he added.

DAILY POST reported that the NDLEA officials were in government house to brainstorm and chart ways to strengthen the war against illicit drugs in the State.