NDLEA arrests drug dealers with N183m cannabis

The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested two suspected cannabis barons while also seizing 18,294kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of N183m.

One of the suspects, a Bauchi-based suspected cannabis dealer, Mohammed Mustapha was apprehended at Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State where he was facilitating the shipment of 7,272kg of cannabis to Bauchi State.

According to the spokesperson for the agency, another 3,072kg of cannabis was traced to the warehouse of another suspected dealer, Lucky Akele at Uzebba. About 7,950kg of cannabis with few bags of cement used as cover inside a Dangote cement truck were intercepted at Enweh area of the state. The truck driver, Zegiru Amadu, said the shipment was destined for Maiduguri, Borno State..

The Edo State commander of the NDLEA, Wakawa Buba, said that the 18,294kg of cannabis were seized in three operations.

“All the cases are under investigation and the suspects will soon be charged to court for unlawful possession and dealing in cannabis. They risk a minimum of fifteen years sentence if found guilty,” Wakawa said.

The Dangote trailer driver in his statement said he was given N1.3m to transport the cannabis to Maiduguri, Borno State.

Amadu claimed that poverty pushed him to take the money and agree to the deal.

Commending the officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd.) described the seizure as a necessary step in reducing drugs from circulation.

Abdallah said, “The NDLEA will continue to work assiduously by consolidating on the gains recorded in the fight against insurgency.

“Over 15 tons of cannabis would have been taken to the North East if not for the timely interception. Several crimes are perpetrated under the influence of drugs like cannabis and the agency will not rest until the problem of cannabis cultivation, trafficking and use is drastically reduced.”