Bisola David
The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency’s Edo Command decimated eight hectares of cannabis sativa farms in the state on Friday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the farms are situated in the state’s Owan West Local Government Area’s Upokhoten Forest and Uzzebba Village.
The command’s agents were driven over three hours to the farms where the plantations were destroyed and set on fire.
The command’s Assistant Commander in charge of Operations, Mr. Ondotimi Bebetu, briefed reporters following the operation and stated that the demolition followed intelligence-led surveillance that resulted in the arrest of three suspects two weeks earlier.
The two farms, according to Bebetu, who serves as the command’s spokesperson, are equivalent to more than 17 tonnes of cannabis sativa and are valued at million naira.
“This devastation is being carried out by follow-up operations after several individuals were detained two weeks ago.
“Today, two farms were destroyed here. 6.28 hectares were occupied by the first farm which equals 15.69 tonnes when converted to tonnes.
“The second farm, comprising 0.68 hectares and located nearby, is equivalent to 1.7 tonnes. Together, the two add up to 17.4 tonnes of marijuana that have been destroyed as of late.”
The NDLEA chairman added that the suspects would be turned over to the legal team following the conclusion of a discrete investigation into the incident.
He said the unit would advise on whether or not to bring charges against them.
“The true owners are big-time barons.” He claimed that they have trouble obtaining them and that they occasionally travel abroad, but they continue to watch.
The commander of Narcotics, James Olarewaju, said in a separate speech that action was taken at the farm as a result of reliable intelligence.
Olarewaju expressed disappointment that Edo has become known for its cannabis crops and that the axis has turned into a year-round growing operation.
He claimed that rather than burning time hunting for people selling, the command was resolved to destroy farms in order to break the supply chain of the material.
A suspect from Benue who was apprehended on the farm, Monday Nduul, claimed he was hired as a “job man” to assist with weeding. He stated he was unaware that he was visiting a cannabis farm when he arrived.
