Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Ogun
State have arrested two suspected drug peddlers while attempting to sell
295 bags of cannabis estimated at N35m.
PUNCH Metro learnt
that the suspects, Ihenacho Chinweuba, 27 and 33-year-old Uche Enuosa,
were on Monday taking the narcotic to some parts of the state and Lagos
for marketing when officials of the agency swooped on them in the Ijebu
Igbo area.
It was gathered that the suspects had loaded a truck
with bags of the drug, and covered them with some cartons of biscuits to
evade arrest.
However, their gimmick was exposed when the truck was flagged down by the NDLEA team, said to be acting on a tip-off.
The
suspects owned up to the crime, saying they took to it because they
were unemployed. They added that they wanted to raise money for Yuletide
celebration and make their families happy.
Chinweuba, an
indigene of the Nsiala-Ngwa Local Government Area, Abia State, said the
expected proceed from the drug was his last hope.
He said, “I am
married with children. I have not bought anything for my family this
season. It was joblessness that made me to deal in hemp. All my hope was
on this cannabis shipment because I know that if we were successful, I
would have made my family happy. The cartons of biscuits were to hide
the drugs but it is unfortunate that we were arrested and my dream is
shattered.”
Enuosa, a plumber, who hails from Asaba, Delta State, said he was stranded and needed to travel home for the celebration.
“I
am a plumber, but due to lack of work, I decided to drive the truck. I
have no savings and the only way I can travel home this festive season
was to engage in the cannabis business,” he said.
The NDLEA
Commander in Ogun State, Mr. Bala Fagge, said the truck had been
confiscated while the suspects were still helping the command with
relevant information.
He said, “A white Mercedes truck with
number plate, Lagos KJA 132 XN, was intercepted in the Ijebu Igbo area,
in the Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State. The truck,
carrying biscuits and cheese balls, was found to contain 295 big bags of
dried cannabis sativa weighing 3,542.2 kilograms. The two suspected
traffickers were immediately apprehended and are currently assisting
further investigation.
“The suspects will soon be charged to court and if convicted could get life imprisonment.”
The
acting Chairman of the agency, Mrs. Roli Bode-George, assured the
public of the agency’s renewed measures towards curtailing illicit drug
supply in the country.
“Targeting criminals and cutting off drug
supply are some of the cardinal drug control strategies to ensure a safe
and healthy celebration this season. Efforts shall be intensified
towards preventing the supply of drugs to end users. This spectacular
seizure, with the street value of about N35m, will definitely go a long
way in eradicating drugs from our society,” she said.
She also said the truck conveying the drug would be forfeited to the Federal Government in accordance with the NDLEA Act