NDLEA seizes N3bn Indian hemp in Ondo

Posted by admin NDLEA (Anti-Drug Agency), Ondo, State News Thursday, January 27th, 2011

Law Enforcement Agency said on Wednesday that it had seized about 32.9 tonnes of Indian hemp worth N3bn in the state, within the last eight months.

The state Commandant of the agency, Mr. Walter Nicholas , who stated this while addressing journalists in his office in Akure, also said the command lost two of its men to the fight against narcotics, within the period.

He noted with regret that many of his men were wounded during the various raids on strongholds of the drug barons.

He disclosed that in January this year, the command seized 6.7 tonnes of the product, adding that about 357 hectares of Indian Hemp plantation were identified and destroyed by his men in their resolve to rid the state of the hard drug.

Nicholas said no fewer than 18 persons, arrested by his officers and handed over to the police, had been charged to court over drug-related offences and convicted.

He said, “The fight against illicit drugs in the state had been a combined effort of our agency, the police, the State Security Services, the Nigeria Security and the Civil Defence Corps.

“Since my assumption of office in April 2010, we have taken the message of a drug-free society to various towns and villages in the state to ensure that the people were sensitised on the need to shun hard drugs.

“I have already visited some traditional rulers in the state, including the Olowo of Owo, the Alayede of Ogbese and the Deji of Akure, who are the custodians of the people and the custodians of the land to seek their cooperation for our struggle.

“They are expected to help us to sensitise the people on the need not to give their lands to those that use them to cultivate Indian hemp,” he added.

Nicholas urged the people to cooperate with the command and also give it the necessary support to ensure that it succeeded in the fight against drug.

The commandant also disclosed that the command had set up a counseling and rehabilitation centre where those involved in drug were rehabilitated.

-Punchwp_posts