Benin — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Edo State ,impounded hard drugs and cannabis worth N5 billion in the past five months.

Commander of NDLEA in the state, Mr Sani Ibrahim Sani disclosed this in Benin yesterday at an event to mark the 2012 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

He said a breakdown of the statistics showed that 19, 612.4 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, 12.5 kilogrammes of cocaine and 6.5 grams of heroine were seized.

Mr Sani said in the period under review, 23 convictions were made while 17 vehicles and 3 motorcycles were impounded.

He said his men also apprehended a serving soldier from the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Auchi, Edo State, adding that when the suspect was intercepted around Uzebba Owan West Local Government Area of the state, a substantial quantity of cannabis was recovered from his boot.

He said upon conclusion of investigation, the Army court marshalled the soldier, and subsequently dismissed him. The NDLEA boss added that 64 persons are currently undergoing counselling.