Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have destroyed 2,317 bags of cannabis weighing 30,992kgs.

Sixty-seven bags were also transferred to Osun State Command of the NDLEA as exhibits for further investigation.

The cannabis will also serve as evidence against eleven suspected farmers arrested during operation inside cannabis plantation.

The exhibits with an estimated street value o N309 million were found in twenty Seven camps used as storage facilities located within a farmland at Orita-Ijebu forest reserve, Ikoyi area of Ikire in Ayedade LGA of Osun State. The Agency noted that drug cartels have invaded government forest reserves for the cultivation of cannabis.

According to Muhammad Abdallah, Chairman/Chief Executive, concerted efforts are needed to stop cannabis cultivation while farmers should be encouraged to cultivate food and economic crops.

“Unless the current trend of cannabis cultivation is addressed, the country is on the verge of a devastating food insecurity. It is worrisome that the cartels are using government forest reserves in the cultivation of cannabis. Stakeholders must strategise on how to increase food production and prevent criminal organisations from diverting arable farmland for cannabis cultivation. A situation where food and cash crops is paving way for cannabis plant portends danger and deserve urgent attention.”

The raid operation codenamed ‘Operation Herb Spring’ was in response to an intelligence received by the Agency on the activities of cannabis cultivators in the forest.

Subsequently, the Chairman directed the Special Enforcement Team led by Sunday Zirangey to coordinate the operation.

The suspects arrested in connection with the cannabis cultivation are Kofi Mensah, Godwin Monday, Albert Williams Aniama, Enudi Liberty Onyeka and Peter Nelson. Others are Harrison Ewoka Francis, Ossai Nelson, Sulaiman Niyi, Dominic Tobechukwu, Mutiu Kolawole and Chucks Oghenekwu.

•Sourced from Business Day (Nigeria). Photo shows NDLEA operatives.

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