NDLEA arrests three suspected smugglers, seizes N51.4m cannabis
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Three persons, including a driver and two workers, have been arrested by the Edo State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in connection with the alleged operation of a cannabis cartel.
It was gathered that the suspects were arrested on Wednesday along the Benin-Lagos bye-pass in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state while allegedly attempting to smuggle the substances from Ondo to Delta State.
It was also gathered that a truck said to belong to the suspects and containing 332 bags of dry weeds concealed in a consignment of processed wood from a sawmill was intercepted by personnel of the NDLEA.
The estimated street value of the seized drug was put at N51.4m.
While confirming the arrest, the State Commander of the agency, Mr. Wakawa Buba, gave the names of the suspects as Ossai Frank, aged 35; Azuka Ossai, 29; and Emenike Uba, 25. He said they were all from Delta State.
Buba explained that the seized substance weighed 5,146 kilograms and tested positive for cannabis.
According to him, the suspects confessed to the crime and allegedly blamed their criminal activities on the quest for survival.
The state commander, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Ofoyeju Mitchell, disclosed that the three suspects would soon be charged to court.
He, however, added that efforts were ongoing to arrest and prosecute other members of the cartel in accordance with the NDLEA Act.
The statement read in part, “Ossai Frank, who is married to two wives and a father of four children said that this was not his first time of conveying cannabis.
“This is a very successful operation. It was based on intelligence report and diligent surveillance.
“We have been monitoring them for some time and I am glad that our sacrifices have been handsomely rewarded. The command is prepared to counter the illegal activities of drug barons.”
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