NDLEA destroys 20 tonnes of cannabis in Osun, arrests fugitive after six years

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has destroyed 20,234kg of cannabis on an 8.09-hectare farm in Osun State and arrested a fugitive who had been wanted for six years over alleged drug trafficking.

The cannabis farm was destroyed on Wednesday, September 30, in Area 4, Ife South Local Government Area of Osun State, as part of the agency’s ongoing operations against illicit drug cultivation.

In Plateau State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 41-year-old suspect, Agbo Dennis, after recovering 33 bags of cannabis weighing 385kg in the West of Mines area of Jos North.

The agency also announced the arrest of Idris Mohammed Kurra, 47, who had allegedly been on the run since jumping court bail in December 2020.

Kurra was arrested on September 29. He was facing trial before the Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, over alleged possession and dealing in 198kg of cannabis.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Lagos raided an unoccupied compound at Divine Estate, Ago Palace, on September 28 and recovered 209,000 tablets of tramadol.

In a follow-up operation, officers arrested 23-year-old Ekundayo Taiwo at Ladipo Spare Parts Market on September 30. The arrest followed the seizure of 61g of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, and 24g of methamphetamine allegedly concealed in an energy drink bottle being transported as a waybill package by a commercial bus driver.

In Kogi State, NDLEA officers intercepted a Lagos-Abuja commuter bus along the Okene-Lokoja highway and recovered two sachets containing 1kg of methamphetamine concealed in a waybill.

A follow-up investigation led to the arrest of the alleged owner of the consignment, 29-year-old Michael Chukwuememka Uzoma, in Utako, Abuja.

In Edo State, operatives recovered 32.2kg of cannabis sativa during a raid on the residence of 35-year-old Saturday Omimi in Uyere community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area.

Another suspect, Osazuwa Iyabor Michael, 23, was arrested at Auchi Bypass, Benin City, with 59g of Loud, 12g of Colorado, 19g of tramadol, 16g of methamphetamine, 4g of Swinol and 4g of Molly.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the agency’s officers for the operations and urged them to sustain efforts against drug trafficking networks.

He also called for the continuation of the agency’s balanced approach combining enforcement operations with drug prevention and public sensitisation.