A coordinated sting operation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has led to the discovery and destruction of Indian hemp with a street value of N15.1bn.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the operation was carried out across four states-Ekiti, Edo, Delta and Kogi – where cannabis plantations were also destroyed.
Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, put the total weight of the cannabis intercepted during the raid code-named ‘Operation Weed Eater’ as 1,514,278 kg.
One of the targets of the raid was Uche Obi, the operational head of a cannabis syndicate known as Akunnubas, Saturday PUNCH learnt.
Obi, who was also known as the ‘King Maker’ was arrested along with seven other members of the syndicate and two truck drivers.
Speaking on the raid, Head of NDLEA’s Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said “Cannabis plantations were raided and destroyed at Ise Forest Reserve in Ise/Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti State and Ode Camp in Gboyin Local Government Area of the same state.
“Another plantation was also destroyed at Utese Forest Reserve in Edo State. One hundred officers drawn from various State Commands participated in the operation that lasted for twelve days.”
Ofoyeju said during investigation, Obi revealed that he was referred to as the King Makerbecause of his overriding influence in determining appointment of other executive members of the cartel.
He said he was also responsible for the execution of punishment on erring members and foes. The cartel was said to control much of the cannabis business in the South West and South South of Nigeria.
“Our investigation revealed that the Akunnubas are responsible for over eighty per cent of cannabis production in Nigeria. The syndicate hires cheap labour including school age children to work in cannabis farms. They use motorcycles in conveying processed cannabis from the farms to a temporary covert warehouse from where trucks are later used in taking the drug for inter-State distribution,” Ofoyeju told Saturday PUNCH.
Suspects arrested with cannabis seized in Delta State
NDLEA’s Director of Operations and General Investigations, Mr. Olugbenga Mabo, who coordinated operations, said in Ekiti State alone, cannabis weighing 1.5 million kg was destroyed in two cannabis plantations. In Edo, 9,300kg was intercepted and destroyed while 19,675kg was intercepted in a truck in Delta State.
Mabo said, “Two trucks containing 2,103kg of cannabis were seized in Lokoja, Kogi State. The cases are under investigation.
“The interception of a truck carrying a forty-foot container loaded with 19,675kg along the Amai Road, Obiaruku, Delta State by our officers at the Delta State Command and two trucks containing 2,103kg of cannabis by the Kogi State Command is impressive.
Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said the arrest of Obi was a reward for painstaking investigation.
“He was under investigation by the agency for several months. This is an era of protracted and diligent investigation that will expose illicit drug activities. I am delighted with the success of the painstaking surveillance carried out by officers in ‘Operation Weed Eater’,” Giade stated. Punch
