Ogotun (Ekiti State) – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said on Monday that it had destroyed over 4, 000 hectares of land used to plant Indian hemp in Ogotun-Ekiti, Ekiti South-West Local Government Area of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Suleiman Jadi, led other officers of the command on the operations.
The NDLEA operatives also destroyed and burnt the 100 bags of the Cannabis already parked in sacks for transportation to their customers.
They also destroyed and burnt the hideout of the Indian hemp dealers and some of the cannabis farms.
The over 4, 000 hectares of the farmland, located about 25 kms. from the town, was cultivated in the midst of a thick forest within mountains and streams.
Aside the over 100 bags of the harvested cannabis that were destroyed, the officers also cut off some of the growing ones.
Speaking during the operation, the commander frowned at the attitude of the Indian hemp dealers, whom, he said, had turned the state to a haven for criminals.
“Some of this lands are fertile and it should be used for cultivating food crops, instead of cannabis.
“Since I have been working for the agency, I have not seen such a vast land filled with cannabis plantation.
“I want to warn those that still indulge in drug peddling in Ekiti that the state is not a haven for criminals and I assure them that we shall soon get them.”
He said the agency would not relent in its duty to eradicate drug peddling in the state.
He warned that the agency would not spare anyone caught cultivating or selling Indian hemp within and outside the state capital.
Jadi said that anyone arrested would be prosecuted, to serve as a deterrent to others, who indulge in selling cannabis as a source of livelihood.
NAN recalls that three persons — two men and one woman — were caught on the farms on Oct. 8.
The two men were farmers cultivating cannabis on the farms, while the woman was being paid to cook for the farmers.
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The NDLEA commander led 17 officers of the agency to invade the farm at 2 a.m. and effected the arrest of those involved.
Jadi said that those arrested had confessed to the crime, claiming they were hired to cultivate cannabis on the farms.
The commander said that the three suspects had been charged to court. (NAN)