The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 14.5 tonnes of “Ghanaian Loud’’, a strong strain of Indian hemp smuggled into Lagos from Ghana.
Femi Babafemi, the spokesman of the agency, stated on Sunday in Abuja that the drugs were loaded in two trucks and a J5 bus.
According to Babafemi, the three vehicles were trailed and intercepted at Ojuelegba area of Lagos in the early hours of Sunday, January 28.
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He added that two of the drivers of the vehicles jumped out and fled while their vehicles were still in motion, but the third driver was arrested.
Babafemi stated that the arrested third driver, a 66-year-old man, had been working with a wanted Mushin, Lagos-based drug baron for years.
“In the last three years, NDLEA operatives have seized several shipments of Indian hemp worth billions of naira linked to the wanted drug baron.
“The wanted drug lord has since gone into hiding while the NDLEA continues a manhunt for him,’’ he stated.
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Babafemi added that NDLEA operatives on routine patrol, also arrested three suspects on Thursday, February 1 around a warehouse the agency had earlier sealed at Church Street, Idumota, Lagos, over an ongoing investigation.
He stated that the suspects burgled the warehouse and loaded 546,700 pills of tramadol and other psychoactive drugs into a waiting yellow bus and a Suzuki minibus.
The NDLEA’s spokesman also stated that a male deaf and dumb suspect dealing in illicit substances had been arrested in the Samaru area of Zaria, Kaduna State.
“At the time of his arrest, 150gm of Indian hemp that he was selling was recovered from him.
“Another 56-year-old suspect was arrested in possession of 51kg of Indian hemp at Tirkaniya area of Kaduna State,’’ he stated.
Babafemi said that NDLEA operatives also arrested a suspect on January 31 while in possession of 43.5kg of Indian hemp concealed in used shoes and loaded in an articulated vehicle.
The vehicle was travelling from Ogbese, Ondo State, and was to deliver the drugs at Gwagwalada in the FCT.
In Katsina State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 35-year-old suspect in possession of 37,600 pills of tramadol and other psychoactive substances on the Dutsinma-Katsina Highway on February 2.
They destroyed 833.32kg of Indian hemp on a two-acre farmland at Iluke community, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi on January 31 and arrested the owner, a 49-year-old.
“Also, on January 31, operatives arrested three suspects at Uke, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State with Indian hemp weighing 24.4kg.
“No less than 258kg Indian hemp were recovered from a bush store around Ikare bypass, Owo, in Ondo State,’’ Babafemi stated.
