The Nasarawa State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed that the agency has just confiscated 1,659 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa worth about ₦30 million.
The state Commander of NDLEA, Peter Odaudu, who disclosed this in Lafia on Wednesday pointed out that officers and men of the Akwanga Area Command on patrol on Tuesday intercepted a J5 Boxer vehicle with number plates: KTG 71 XC, at about 10.24 a.m, travelling from Ogere in Ogun State to Bauchi.
He disclosed that upon sighting operatives from afar, the driver and another occupant of the vehicle disembarked and ran away.
Odaudu said the operatives, being suspicious of the vehicle loaded with goods left unattended, laid ambush and arrested the driver when he came and attempted to drive off the vehicle.
According to him, during the search, the agents found 1,556 compacted bread-like parcels of Cannabis sativa, totaling 1,659 kilogrammes, hidden behind pineapples that were loaded into the van.
The commander said the seizure was unparalleled in the history of the agency in the state and recalled that it was coming on the heels of two similar massive drug seizures recorded in the month of July.
He explained that on July 6, the command seized 367.6 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa and arrested two suspects around the Emir’s palace in Lafia, and on July 9, another 1,029.5 kilograms were seized on Doma Road, concealed in a truck conveying natural gas from Edo State.
Odaudu further stated that all the suspects would be prosecuted at the end of investigation.
He restated the commitment of the NDLEA to tackle the menace of illicit drugs from the state and the country.
Meanwhile, the driver of the J5 vehicle confessed to the crime and said he was conveying the consignment for his boss who resides in Bauchi.
