The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday demolished suspected hard drug spots in Calabar town.
The agency carried out the operation through the Office of the Security Adviser to the Cross River Governor in collaboration with the Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS).
The demolition began at about 7 a.m. within Calabar South and Municipality.
The team demolished a kiosk at Bogobiri area and an uncompleted building at Target road by Murray Street in Calabar South.
Another uncompleted building was also demolished at Ediba Street in Calabar Municipality.
Mr Ani Esin, the Security Adviser to Gov. Ben Ayade on South Senatorial District, said the operation was carried out after extensive investigation of the various spots.
Esin said that the state government was out to chase all suspected criminal elements from their hideouts, including those who use and deal on hard drugs.
According to him, the spot at Bogobiri area was destroyed after the inhabitants raised alarm on the high level of youth involvement in hard drugs.
He added that the spot also harboured suspected migrants who came into Calabar without valid travelling documents.
“We are on the campaign to eradicate the city of Calabar of all criminal hideouts and arrest those on our wanted list.
“We are also giving a shot at the immigration policy of the state because we have found out that some migrants are trooping into the state unaccounted for.
“We have to go to Bogobiri area because we have a strong relationship with them to strengthen this operation; we want all those coming into the state to be accounted for.
“Bogobiri area is known for drugs and other related offences and it is almost a capital for drugs in Calabar.
“We have to move in collaboration with the people to destroy the drugs spots,’’ he said, adding that the spots destroyed had been on the spotlight of security agencies in the state.
Esin advised land lords to always monitor activities of youths in uncompleted buildings around them, adding that any of such buildings if used for drugs business would be demolished.
On sighting the team at Target road by Murray Street, youths took to their heels, leaving drug substances behind.
