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Tag: Cannabis sativa

  • Navy hands over N70m seized cannabis sativa to NDLEA in Badagry

    Navy hands over N70m seized cannabis sativa to NDLEA in Badagry

    The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Lagos, handed over 50 sacks of cannabis sativa worth N70 million to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) in Badagry.

    On the seizures, Lt. Cdt. Kelly Umoru, the Base Operations Officer, FOB, representing the Commanding Officer FOB, Navy Captain Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said they seized the suspected cannabis sativa on Sunday.

    “On Nov. 19, at about 6.30.a.m, they got an intelligence tip-off of suspected smuggling activities within our own Area of Operations.

    “The intelligence indicated that a boat was sighted offloading products suspected to be cannabis sativa at Gbethrome Beach close to Ashipa community.

    “Consequently, the Base Quick Response Team, led by myself and Base Intelligence Officer, Lt. E. U. Okorie, proceeded to the scene of the crime for investigation and possible arrest.

    “The team conducted a cordon and search operation in the area,” he said.

    Umoru said after searching, a total of 50 sacks of the suspected products which valued at about N70m were recovered.

    “The adjoining communities were also searched but no other products or suspects were found.

    “Investigations are ongoing in conjunction with other security agencies to identify the drug trafficking syndicate and in due course, arrest and prosecute same,” he said.

    50 sacks of suspected cannabis sativa valued at N70m seized by the Forward Operating Base (FOB) of Nigerian Navy

    He recalled that since the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla assumed office, he had stated that his mission was to maintain and equip a professionally competent naval force capable of defending Nigeria’s maritime area of interest in fulfilment of national security imperative.

    “Similarly, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hussan, on Nov. 9, launched Operation Water Guard.

    “This operation is aimed at denying smuggling and other criminal elements the freedom of action within Badagry General Area, to ensure security and economic stability in the area,” he said.

    Receiving the exhibit, Mr Owen Dinneys, the Commander of the Narcotics, Area Commander, Seme Special Command of NDLEA, promised that investigation would commence on the seized items.

    He commended Nigerian Navy for the huge seizures, assuring them that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.

    “We will ensure that whoever that is involved in the illegal drugs smuggling into the country is apprehended and justice will be done,” he said.

  • Court remands founder of Christ Living Hope Church, Reverend Ugochukwu in prison for allegedly exporting marijuana to Kenya

    Court remands founder of Christ Living Hope Church, Reverend Ugochukwu in prison for allegedly exporting marijuana to Kenya

    Justice Daniel Osiagor of a Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, custody, the founder and General Overseer of Christ Living Hope Church, Reverend Ekwem Emmanuel Ugochukwu, accused of exporting 40 grammes of Cannabis Sativa, also known as marijuana, to Kenya.

     

    The judge ordered that the clergy be remanded in the prison till the perfection of his bail terms, after granting him bail in the sum of N2million.

     

     

    The judge made the order following Ugochukwu’s “not guilty” plea to a one-count charge of unlawful export of the banned drug during his March 29, arraignment by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

     

    The charge reads: “That you Ekwem Emmanuel Ugochukwu, male, adult, on or about the 7th day of March 2022 during the outward clearance of passengers of Ethiopia Airlines flight to Kenya at screening 1, Departure Hall of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja-Lagos, without lawful authority exported 40 grammes of Cannabis Sativa, a narcotic drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD.”

     

    According to NDLEA prosecutor Augustine Nwagu, the offence contravened Section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act, 2004.”

     

    The defendant’s counsel, Benson Ndakara, did not oppose the application for trial but contended that a remand order was unnecessary.

     

    Mr. Ndakara notified the judge that he had filed an application for Ugochukwu’s bail and the same had been served on the prosecution.

     

    Justice Osiagor, after taking arguments on the applications, upheld Ndakara’s prayer.

     

     

    He admitted the Ugochukwu to bail in the sum of N2 million with one surety.

     

    The surety, the judge ruled, must be a Director in a Federal or Lagos State government establishment.

     

     

    He remanded the defendant in NCoS custody till the perfection of his bail terms and adjourned till June 26, for trial.

     

  • EKITI: About 42.9 hectares of Indian Hemp farmlands were destroyed in 2021- NDLEA

    EKITI: About 42.9 hectares of Indian Hemp farmlands were destroyed in 2021- NDLEA

    Ekiti Command of the National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has said about 42.9 hectares of Cannabis sativa (Indian Hemp) farmlands were destroyed by the agency, in the state, in the year 2021.

     

    The NDLEA Commander in Ekiti, Mr Anthony Olowonihi, said this on Friday in Ado-Ekiti.

     

    Olowonihi said the destructions were carried out in Ise-Ekiti and Eporo-Ekiti, in Ise Local Government Area and Emure Local Government Area, respectively, between January 2021 and December 2021.

     

    The Ekiti NDLEA boss, who decried the increasing rate of drug abuse in the state, said a total of 5,140 kilogrammes of Cannabis sativa, known as Indian hemp, was also seized within the period under review.

     

    “There was a rise in the use of illicit drug in Ekiti in 2021. In January we seized 29kg of Cannabis sativa and down the line it kept increasing.

     

    “By September we seized 61kg, while nine hectares of Indian hemp farmlands were destroyed and in October another 32 hectares of farmlands was destroyed on Use-Ekiti forest and Eporo in Emure.

     

    “In November, we seized 2,838kg of illicit drug within Ise and Emure axis.

     

    “In other areas of the state, we seized 1,447kg of cannabis sativa for the months of September, October, November and December all in 2021,” Olowonihi said.

     

    He urged land owners in Ekiti not to give their lands to Indian hemp farmers.

     

    “Do not give your lands to those who will use them for illicit drug cultivations; rather release the lands to people that will use them to farm yams, cassava, maize and cash crops that will benefit our nation,’’ he said.

     

    Olowonihi advised Nigerians, especially Ekiti residents, to desist from smoking or use of illicit drugs, as they are destroying their future, that of state and the country at large.