February 23, (THEWILL) – Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have destroyed over 255 hectares of cannabis farms spread across five local government areas of Ondo state.
In addition, 13 suspects have been arrested and 250 kilograms of cannabis seeds as well as 63.85kg of weeds were recovered during a major operation that lasted seven days in five major forests.
The forests are, Omolowo/Powerline forest, Ipele forest, Ala forest, Ogbese forest, Utte and Okuluse forest, that spread across five local council areas of the State.
The NDLEA in a statement by its Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said, “the exercise codenamed ‘Operation Abub’, began at Ogbese forest on Tuesday 15th February and lasted till Monday 21st Feb, 2022.
“Not less than 154kg of cannabis seeds was also seized at Ala forest, Akure North Local Government Area, with over 30 hectares of irrigation cannabis farms destroyed and burnt”, the statement explained.
“Also, a suspect, John Mike, who claimed to be a labourer was also apprehended with 2.5kg of cannabis seeds.”
On the last day of the operation, Monday 21st Feb, “over 50 clusters of cannabis farms spread across 47 hectares were destroyed and 2kg of cannabis seeds seized, while a suspect, Olorunlogo Lekan, was apprehended inside a large cannabis farm measuring 10 hectares at Ala forest.”
“The Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers and men of the Strike Force corps of the Agency for their sacrifices and commitment to the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that all cultivation and plantations of cannabis in forests must be located and destroyed.
“He charged them to look out for more of such farms in any part of the country for similar response”, the statement added.
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