The Lagos State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday recovered 301.2kg of cannabis in Mushin.
This is contained in a statement by Mitchell Ofoyeju, the spokesman of the agency and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
The statement said the NDLEA Command carried out a raid on a popular market at Mushin, where it allegedlyrecovered 22 sacks of dried weeds which tested positive for cannabis weighing 301.2kg.
The raid was sequel to a directive by the new Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdallah,for the dismantling of drug trafficking organisations.
It said that the operation, which took place at about 3 a.m, was part of strategies to re-position the anti-narcotic agency for optimum performance.
According to the statement, investigation revealed that the shop where the cannabis was found was always locked.
“The estimated street value of the seized cannabis was about N 3,000,000 million and the owner of the drugs had also been apprehended,” it said.
According to Abdallah, all notorious areas, including markets where drugs are sold, must be dismantled.
“I want every notorious drug dealer arrested and prosecuted. We must remain strategic in our offensive and leverage on intelligence planning to overcome drug dealers at all times.
“Nigeria must be seen to be fighting and winning the war at all fronts. All resources required to successfully raid all enemy camps shall be made available.”
The chairman urged traders and members of the public to report suspicious drug cases to the agency for necessary action.
NDLEA Lagos State Commander, Aliyu Sule, was also quoted as saying that a notorious cannabis dealer had also been arrested.
“Based on intelligence report, we raided Mushin area of Lagos at about 3 a.m. on Friday morning.
“Our team of officers caught the suspect red handed while preparing to distribute cannabis for the day.
“The suspect, who has been under surveillance for some weeks, was immediately arrested and the recovered sacks of cannabis impounded as exhibits.
“The operation, which lasted for about an hour, was very successful as there was no resistance,” Aliyu said.
NAN reports that the suspect, who hails from Ibadan, Oyo State, also owned up to the crime.
“I started selling hemp two years ago, but this is my first arrest. I used to work in a car wash until a friend introduced me to cannabis trade.
“At that time, my daily average sale was N 5,000. I took over the business when my friend traveled out of the state few months ago.
“It is so painful to be arrested when I am beginning to enjoy the fruit of my labour,” he lamented.
The suspect would soon be charged to court, the statement added.(NAN)