NDLEA raids Ondo, Edo forests, destroys caches of Indian hemp

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major haul of Indian hemp in its Operation Thunder Strike IV, launched to rid the forests in Ondo and Edo states of cannabis warehouses. The agency said it intercepted and burnt 181.2 tons of the illicit drug concealed in warehouses in Ala Forest in Akure […]

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major haul of Indian hemp in its Operation Thunder Strike IV, launched to rid the forests in Ondo and Edo states of cannabis warehouses.

The agency said it intercepted and burnt 181.2 tons of the illicit drug concealed in warehouses in Ala Forest in Akure North of Ondo State.

Daily Trust reports that 181.2 tons is equivalent to 164381.87kg. The agency’s spokesman, Jonah Achema, said on Thursday in Abuja that the haul was made from three different warehouses spread across the forest.

According to him, a total of 12,078 bags of the illicit drug were discovered in the three warehouses out of which 16 bags weighing 240kg were brought to the office for prosecution and that another 730 sacks of cannabis seeds weighing 21.9tons were recovered and destroyed by burning.

He said two single barrel guns and expended cartridges were also recovered by the agency.

He said the operation also led to the seizure of several tons of cannabis already harvested and heaped for onward movement to the illicit drug markets.

He said Uzebba and Ukpoji-Ihkin, two communities, in Owan West Local Government Area in Edo State, bordering Ondo State which are notorious for the cultivation of cannabis were the first under the searchlight of the operatives.

He said 51-year-old Ohimai Ayodele, a title holder in Uzebba, a notable cannabis merchant suspected to be the mastermind of the killing of NDLEA personnel earlier in the year, was also apprehended during the operation and that in an attempt to resist arrest, his gang opened fire, and injured some of the operatives.

“A reinforcement of NDLEA and army personnel stormed Ivbiodeohen forest in Uzebba where five different warehouses were raided with at least two tons of cannabis destroyed.

“One Ojeagbese Asabiya, 66, was arrested in a disserted locality where several cannabis nursery and transplant farms were discovered and destroyed. Eight locally fabricated guns and several rounds of ammunition were recovered from the spots. Six locally fabricated cannabis compressing machines were also recovered from the camp.

“At Uteh, near Ifon in Ondo State, the operation lasted 20 hours as the operatives invaded and ransacked the Ajobieye forest, in Owo Local Government Area, leading to the destruction by burning of 1,225 bags of cannabis sativa, weighing 12.3 tons.

“A total of 174.5kg and sample of fresh plants were brought to the office for prosecution purposes,” he said.