Officers of the Lagos State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have impounded compressed dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis sativa weighing 810.1kilogrammes.
The seizures were made during raid operation conducted within the metropolis. The first consignment of the drug weighing 658.8 kilogrammes believed to have been imported from Ghana was detected at Alaba Rago area of Lagos. The team also discovered another 151.3 kilogrammes at Agege area of the state where two suspected drug dealers were apprehended.
The NDLEA Lagos State commander, Mr. Aliyu Sule who confirmed the raid operation said that it was based on intelligence report. “Acting on intelligence report, we raided the water front at Alaba Rago area where we found compressed dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis.
“The team also raided Kasamu Street in Agege where 151.3 kilogrammes of cannabis was found hidden in the ceiling. Both seizures weighed 810.1 kilogrammes. Two suspected cannabis dealers, Raji Kabir, 22, and Yusuf Bako, 19, arrested during the operation are cooperating with our team of investigators” Aliyu stated.
Kabir who hails from Oyo State said that he has been dealing in cannabis for over five years. “My name is Raji Kabir. I attended Ahmed Memorial Muslim Primary School Agege. I also attended Yewa Junior High School but dropped out in JSS III. After leaving school, I was introduced into cannabis smoking by friends. Later, I began to sell cannabis at Agege and I used to make a profit of two thousand naira daily. I have stopped selling hemp about three times but I keep coming back to the business because I have no money to sustain myself. We were sleeping when officers came to search our house and found the drug inside the ceiling,” Raji stated.
The second suspect, Yusuf Bako, 19, who hails from Kebbi State told investigators that he sells hemp to sustain himself. “After my primary school in Lagos I enrolled as an apprentice in an electrical workshop since I cannot further my education. My friends introduced me to cannabis smoking. I began to sell about a year ago in order to sustain myself. The day I did not go to work, I will go and sell hemp. I used to earn 1,200 naira daily. We were sleeping at night when NDLEA officers came to arrest us and discovered the hemp in the ceiling,” Yusuf stated.
Following the intelligence report that the compressed cannabis originated from Ghana, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade has directed the commanders to intensify surveillance along the water ways.
“I have directed commanders to intensify maritime surveillance to prevent drugs from being smuggled into the country through the water. We are also working very hard to identify other members of the drug cartels. I can assure you that we will not relent in our offensive against drug cartels,” Giade stated.
The NDLEA boss also called on parents to monitor their children adding that good parental care will go a long way in preventing drug trafficking and abuse.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA said suspects will soon be charged to court.
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