Joy Anyim
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, have arrested two suspects with a 20 foot MAN Diesel truck laden with 150 bags of Cannabis Sativa, valued at N20 million.
The intercepted substance which weighed 2.139 tons was concealed in fake compartment of the truck with Registration No. JJJ 959 XN.
The suspects, Monday Michael, 46 and Alex Adieli, 43, had imported the substance from Ondo State, to supply their buyers in Lagos. They were, however, intercepted with the substance, on Friday, at about 1:30pm.
According to the acting State Commander of NDLEA, Frederick Ezeorah, the achievement came as a result of intelligence gathered over a period of time, on the criminal activities of the suspects, who are notorious for bringing such illicit substances into Lagos State.
Ezeorah disclosed that the suspect during interrogation disclosed that they have been in the illicit dealings for years without being caught.
Speaking on the consequences of trafficking in illicit drugs and abuse of dangerous substances, the Commander said, “ It must be the concern of every well-meaning Nigerian, the effect knows no bound and anybody can be a victim of its dangerous health and mental implications, violence and its associated crimes.”
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While commending the operatives who arrested the suspects, he described the seizure as a panacea for peace and positive step towards eradicating drugs from circulation.
“The NDLEA will continue to work assiduously by consolidating on the gains recorded in the fight against insurgency and other crimes.
“Over 2.139 tons of cannabis would have been taken to Lagos if not for the timely interception by men of this command.
“Several crimes are perpetrated under the influence of drugs like cannabis, and the agency will not rest until the problem of cannabis cultivation, trafficking and usage are drastically reduced, “ he assured.
Although the arrested suspects have appealed to NDLEA to be left off the hook, as they would desist from the business, the commander has insisted that they face the law to serve as a deterrent to others.
Ezeorah said the agency have declared total war against illicit drugs and promised to deploy adequate resources towards monitoring, interception and arrest of dealers and consumers.
“The NDLEA Lagos State Command is hereby soliciting the cooperation of the general public and other security agencies to provide the command with such confidential and reliable information about those merchants of death so as to make Lagos State a crime free state for the good of all,” he stated.
