Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command said that it has intercepted a truckload of Cannabis Sativa worth N20m in the state.
NDLEA said that it has also arrested two male suspects in connection with the 20 foot truck MAN diesel.
The agency gave registration number of the truck as JJJ 959 XN.
According to the agency, the truck was laden with 150 bags of the prohibited drugs weighing 2.139 tons concealed in fake compartment of the truck.
NDLEA gave the names of the two male suspects as Monday Michael, the driver, 46 and Alex Adieli his conductor, 43.
It said that the suspects were apprehended on their way from Ondo State to Lagos.
The statement quoted Acting State Commander, Mr. Frederick Ezeorah, as saying that “the seizure and arrest came as a result of intelligence gathered over a period of time on the criminal activities of the above named persons who specialize in bringing such illicit substances into Lagos State.”
The suspects during interrogation by NDLEA officers said they had been in the illicit dealings for years without being caught.
They appealed to NDLEA to be left off the hook and promised that henceforth, they would desist from the illicit business.
The statement added: “the consequences of trafficking in illicit drugs and abuse of dangerous substances must be the concern of every well-meaning Nigerian, the effect knows no bound and anybody can be a victim of its dangerous health and mental implications, violence and its associated crimes.”
The commander while commending the operatives who arrested the suspects described the seizure as a panacea for peace and positive step towards eradicating drugs from circulation.
Ezeorah promised that NDLEA would continue to work assiduously by consolidating on the gains recorded in the fight against insurgency and other crimes.
He reiterated that over 2.139 tons of cannabis would have been taken to Lagos if not for the timely interception by men of his command.
He noted that several crimes were perpetrated under the influence of drugs like cannabis, vowing that the agency would not rest until the problem of cannabis cultivation, trafficking and usage were drastically reduced.
He said NDLEA had declared a total war against illicit drugs and promised to deploy adequate resources towards monitoring, interception and arrest of dealers and consumers.
