The Ondo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,
NDLEA, has disclosed that the war against illicit drugs in the state is
making headway as 137 persons alleged to be involved in drug-related
offenses in the state have been arrested.
Haruna Gagara, who is the NDLEA commander in Ondo State, stated this
in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where he also confirmed the
destruction of 200 hectares of cannabis sativa (India Hemp) plantation
by his men. The state NDLEA boss revealed that the arrest of the 137
suspects was made between the months of May and October.
Among the figures, 127 were said to be male suspects while 10 were arrested for cultivating cannabis sativa (India hemp).
Gagara, who expressed sadness at the high rate of cannabis
cultivation, growing, and dealing with illicit drugs in the state, said
that the command has been working relentlessly to ensure that the menace
is totally curbed in the state.
According to him, Ondo state has been ranked as one of the states
with the highest cultivation rate of cannabis sativa, saying it is very
unfortunate that the state has become a fertile land for growing
cannabis.
“Between May to October, we have been able to arrest 137 suspects
most of whom were male and female, also we equally destroyed 200
hectares of cannabis sativa (Indian Hemp).
“Despite all this effort, the people have refused to change on
planting, growing and doing drug business. We have been carrying out
campaign against illicit drugs in school, motor parks and host
communities.
“We will continue to do our best while calling on the relevant
security agencies, government at all levels to support the agency in
their quest to reduce rate of cultivation of cannabis to the lowest
minimum in the state,” he stated. While calling on parents and guardians
to always monitor their wards against the use of illicit drugs, the
NDLEA boss vowed that his men will continue to go after some sponsors of
the dealers of cannabis in the state.
He maintained that unless the sponsors are arrested, and brought to
book, the effort of the agency in fighting the menace will be
unrealistic.
He also stated that some of the arrested suspects have already been
charged to court, while some are still undergoing investigations at the
Alagbaka office of the command in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
