NDLEA Destroys N900m Indian Hemp Plantations, Apprehends 13 In Ondo [PHOTOS]
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Ondo State command has destroyed 255 hectares of cannabis sativa farms, often called as Indian hemp, worth over N900 million naira.
In a sting operation, investigators from the agency’s five commands assaulted farms in various regions of the state, arresting 13 people in the process.
During the operation, which lasted about a week, 50 hectares in Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area of the State, 19 hectares in Ipele, and 58 hectares in Okeluse, both in the Ose Council Area, were destroyed where the illicit plant was planted.
In addition, 30 hectares of plantations were damaged at Ala in the Akure axis of the State, as well as five farms along the Ogbese River bank and the Omolowo/Powerline forest in the State.
The NDLEA’s special strike force team from Ondo, Edo, Osun, Oyo, and Ekiti states, led by the agency’s Deputy Director Strike Force, Nnadi Chidi, destroyed a large quantity of cannabis nursery beds and seeds.
In addition to 250 kilograms of cannabis seeds, 63 kilograms of cannabis weed, 20 kilograms of dried cannabis, two irrigation water pump equipment, and over 1,500 meters of hose, the agency seized 250 kilograms of cannabis seeds, 63 kilograms of cannabis weed, 20 kilograms of dried cannabis, two irrigation water pump equipment, and over 1,500 meters of hose during the raids.
General Buba Marwa’s (rtd) aim to curb narcotics circulation in Nigeria to the bare minimum, according to Chidi, was behind the exercise.
According to Nnadi, the agency’s Ondo State Command got information concerning large-scale irrigated cannabis production spanning over the state’s five local government areas.
He said that this triggered the deployment of the Strike Force unit, as well as officers from the state commands of Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Oyo, and Osun, to eradicate illegal cannabis growing in the state.
