Operatives of National
Drug Law Enforcement Agency [NDLEA] have foiled an attempt to smuggle cannabis
on one of the buses of Edo City Transport Service.
A 40-year-old graduate
of Political Science and suspected member of a notorious cannabis smuggling
cartel was also apprehended by the Agency.
The agency said the
suspect was found with forty-eight blocks of compressed dried weed of cannabis
sativa weighing 37 kilogrammes packed in two bags in the passenger bus.
The drug has an
estimated street value of three hundred and seventy thousand naira [₦370,000].
The suspect, Raymond Ojero who hails from Delta State is a graduate of Political Science.
The agency said the suspect
accepted ownership of the drug stating that he decided to smuggle cannabis
because of the loss he incurred in his cattle business.
"I suffered a
loss of half a million naira, my entire capital in my cattle business. As a
result, a friend introduced me to cannabis business that it will help me to
recover my lost money. I am a graduate of Political Science from Delta State
University. It was my financial predicament that made me smuggle cannabis and I
regret my action" he stated.
Confirming the arrest,
the Edo State commander of the NDLEA, Mr Buba Wakawa, explained that the bus
departed Iki town in Owan East Local Government Area of the State on its way to
Benin City the State capital but it was intercepted along Auchi road by Idogbo
bypass based on intelligence report.
"A search
operation was conducted and two bags were found to contain dried weeds of
cannabis sativa. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the drug belongs
to one Raymond Ojero who hails from Delta State.
“It was also gathered
that the suspect bought the drug at Uzebba and was on his way to Onitsha where
he intended to board another vehicle to Kano his final destination. The command
is working on strategies to prevent the use of ECTS and other transport
companies in drug trafficking" Wakawa stated.
Wakama said that the
command has a good working relationship with the Edo City Transport Service and
will continue to enhance strategies in apprehending traffickers planning to
smuggle drugs through the transport company.
The Transport Manager
of ECTS, Mr Ramond Etoigbe who commented on the arrest said that the company
has a strong policy against drug trafficking and promised to partner with the
anti-drug agency.
In his words,
"some of the measures taken to prevent the use of our vehicles in drug
trafficking include an effective search of luggage at points of entry as well
as the prompt report of suspicious luggage and passengers to the NDLEA".
The suspect is under
investigation and will soon be charged to court.
No comments:
Post a Comment