NDLEA has intercepted 14.5 tons of “Ghanaian Loud’’, a strong strain of Indian hemp smuggled into Lagos from Ghana.
Its spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, stated on Sunday in Abuja that the drugs were loaded in two trucks and in a J5 bus.
He stated that the three vehicles were trailed and intercepted at Ojuelegba area of Lagos in the early hours of Sunday, Jan. 28.
He added that two of the drivers of the vehicles jumped out of their drivers’ seats and fled while their vehicles were still in motion, but the third driver was arrested.
Babafemi stated that the third driver that was arrested, 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.
Babafemi added that NDLEA operatives on routine patrol arrested three suspects on Thursday, Feb. 1. around a warehouse it sealed at Church Street, Idumota, Lagos, over an on-going 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 at 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 added that NDLEA operatives arrested a suspect on Jan. 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 Feb. 2.
They destroyed 833.32kg of Indian hemp on a two-acre farmland at Iluke community, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi on Jan. 31 and arrested the owner, a 49-year-old.
“Also on Jan. 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.