Cannabis: NDLEA arrests two barons, Dangote driver in Edo

The Edo State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two suspected cannabis barons with a remarkable seizure of eighteen thousand, two hundred and ninety-four (18,294kg) which is 18.2 metric tons of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis. The estimated street value of the seized drug is over one hundred and eighty-three (183) million naira.

A Bauchi based suspected cannabis baron, Mohammed Lawal Bello Mustapha was apprehended at Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State where he was facilitating the shipment of 7,272kg of cannabis to Bauchi while 3,072kg of cannabis was traced to the warehouse of another suspected baron, Lucky Akele at Uzebba. About 7,950kg of cannabis with few bags of cement as a disguise inside a Dongote truck was intercepted at Enweh. The shipment was destined for Maiduguri, Borno State. The truck driver is Zegiru Amadu.

Edo State commander, Wakawa Buba said that the 18,294kg of cannabis were seized in three operations. The Dangote driver said that he was given 1.3 million Naira to transport the drugs to Maiduguri. NDLEA Chairman Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah while commending the arresting officers described the seizure as a positive step towards eradicating drugs.

The agency has declared war against cannabis and promised to deploy adequate resources towards a successful eradication campaign.