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.
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