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Tag: iNDIAN HEMP

  • NDLEA arrests suspected indian hemp farmer in Sokoto

    NDLEA arrests suspected indian hemp farmer in Sokoto

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has announced the arrest of a suspected Indian hemp farmer in Sokoto State.
    “It is the first such case in the history of the state”, the Commandant of NDLEA in the state, Mr Adamu Iro, told newsmen in Sokoto on Saturday.
    Iro said that the suspect, Anas Sani, was arrested in Sayinna village, Tambuwal Local Government Area, following a tip-off.
    He said that the suspect planted a foreign variety of cannabis sativa in his maize farm, which was uprooted by NDLEA operatives who stormed the farm.
    According to him, the suspect will be prosecuted after laboratory analysis of the uprooted leaves.
    He appreciated residents for their support to the agency and urged them not to relent.
    The commandant warned that cultivating Indian hemp and dealing in illicit drugs attract heavy punishment
  • Why cultists, hemp sellers clashed in Osun state

    Why cultists, hemp sellers clashed in Osun state

    Some youths suspected to be cultists on Friday clashed with another group of people who involve in the illicit activity of selling hemp in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    According to an eye witness account, who doesn’t want his name in print  said trouble started at Ode Oga Junction in Oke Baale Area, Osogbo, when some suspected cultists abducted a man alleged to be a hemp seller identified only as Kokoro.

    It was gathered that Kokoro was said to have renounced cultism; a decision that allegedly displeased members of his former group.

    Members of the group were said to have launched a search for Kokoro since he made the decision but they could not get him until Friday when they saw him on a motorcycle.

    The eyewitness said, “Members of his former group saw him (Kokoro) on a motorcycle at Ode Oga and abducted him. When news of his abduction reached his own group at Ita Akogun, Osogbo, they mobilised and stormed where he was being held.

    “The two groups engaged in a fight. There were exchanges of gunshots. Police also intervened. But two people lost their lives. The fight later spread to Isale Aro, Gbaemu area of Osogbo where two passersby were hit by bullets. They were injured and taken to a hospital.’’

    Contacted to comment on the matter, the state police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed that two persons lost their lives during the incident, adding that the hoodlums involved also exchange gunshots with the police.

    “They even attacked operatives. Normalcy has returned to the affected areas,” Opalola said.

    There have been series of unrest in Osogbo in the past few weeks for one reason or the other.

  • NDLEA nabs grandma, pregnant woman over possession of hard drugs

    NDLEA nabs grandma, pregnant woman over possession of hard drugs

    A 60-year-old grandmother, Mrs. Ibinosun Sandra Esther, and a pregnant woman have been arrested during interdiction operations in which 5,527.15 kilograms of methamphetamine and cannabis sativa, as well as 132,090 tablets of tramadol and 2,000 bottles of codeine were recovered by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA across five states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in the past week.

    The Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), has however directed that the pregnant woman be granted administrative bail pending when she is delivered of her baby and thereafter return for her prosecution because at the time of her arrest, she was in her ninth month of pregnancy.

    The grandma was arrested in Ibadan, Oyo state in a follow up operation following the seizure of 5.5kg Loud variant of cannabis imported into the country from South Africa.

    The consignment, which she claimed was sent to her by her daughter was concealed in two giant Speakers as part of a consolidated cargo that arrived the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos on board an Airpeace Airline flight.

    NDLEA nabs grandma

    In a related development, NDLEA operatives also on Saturday 26th November intercepted 1.4 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed inside custard tins packed among cosmetics and foodstuffs going to Brazil via Doha on a Qatar Airways flight.

    A cargo agent, Salako Omolara Fausat who brought the bag containing the illicit drug to the airport and an intending passenger to Brazil, Anyanwu Christian, who was to travel with the consignment were promptly arrested.

    Another attempt by a freight agent, Adebisi Aina Hafsat to export 3,000 tablets of tramadol concealed in motor spare parts to Banjul, Gambia through the NAHCO export shed was equally thwarted by operatives who seized the consignment and arrested her on Monday 28th Nov, while a follow up operation to Ebute-Meta area of Lagos the following day, Tuesday 29th Nov led to the arrest of the actual owner, Afam Chibuke Stanley, who is a spare parts seller.

    This was followed by the seizure of 100,000 tablets of Royal brand of Tramadol 200mg with a gross weight of 68.90 kilograms imported from Karachi, Pakistan on Ethiopian Airlines at the SAHCO import shed.

    In Abuja, operatives stormed the warehouse of a notorious drug lord and an ex-convict, Ibrahim Momoh, alias Ibrahim Bendel who escaped from prison custody to return to his criminal trade and recovered 81 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 1,278kgs.

    Though the fleeing drug dealer is still at large and is wanted by the Agency, his warehouse keeper, 55-year-old Ghanaian, Richard Forson Gordon, was arrested.

    Ibrahim Momoh was first arrested on 27th November, 2014 with the same substance weighing 385.1kgs, prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to seven and a half years in prison on 22nd of April, 2020 but escaped from jail after three months.

    Meanwhile, no fewer than 2,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup were seized in a commercial bus by operatives on Friday 2nd December along Lokoja – Abuja expressway.

    In Rivers state, operatives on Saturday 3rd Dec arrested a 29-year-old pregnant woman, Kate Ibinabo with 34.4kgs cannabis sativa in Okrika area of the state.

    In Ondo state, 241 bags of the psychoactive substance with a gross weight of 3,133kg were recovered from a building at Ilale Cashew, Ehinogbe, Owo, on Tuesday 29th Nov. At least, 507.9kgs of cannabis were also seized during a raid at the hideout of a fleeing drug dealer in Mushin area of Lagos on Thursday 1st Dec.

    In Cross River, 53 jumbo bags of C/S weighing 567.05kgs were seized from three suspects: Bassey Boniface Eyibio, 38; Effiong Akiba Etim, 30 and Ngbong Raymond, 45 at Mpara junction, Odukpani LGA on Thursday 1st Dec while conveying the consignment in a bus marked CKK 74 AA. Operatives equally arrested another suspect, Ali Mohammed along Potiskum- Damaturu road after they found 29,090 tablets of tramadol in his personal Honda car marked ABC 914 RW coming from Gombe to Damaturu, Yobe state.

    While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Rivers, Ondo, Lagos, Cross River and Yobe Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Gen. Marwa charged them and their counterparts across other formations to continue to step up their offensives against drug cartels.

  • “I feed Indian hemp seeds to my chickens” – Drug suspect

    “I feed Indian hemp seeds to my chickens” – Drug suspect

    A suspect paraded by the NDLEA in Kaduna on Saturday for being in possession of Indian hemp seeds says they were for the consumption of his poultry birds.

    “I have a poultry farm and was told that if I feed the chickens with Indian hemp seeds, they would grow fast and strong, and would not fall sick.

    “So, I do mix the weed seeds with their food when feeding the chickens.

    “I fed the chickens with the Indian hemp seeds only once before I was arrested, he said on Sunday in Kaduna.

    He said NDLEA operatives seized the Indian hemp seeds from his house and arrested him, admitting, however, that he used to smoke Indian hemp.

    The suspect also told NAN that he observed that the seeds made his chickens to look healthier and stronger.

    “The situation I have put myself is shameful. I promise not to repeat it in my life,’’ he said.

    Commander of the NDLEA in Kaduna State, Mr Umar Adoro, told NAN on Sunday that the suspect was arrested on April 17 with 3kg of Indian hemp.

    Adoro said the suspect, arrested at Makarfi Road in Rigasa Area of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, had been on NDLEA’s wanted list for a long time.

    “He is one of the notorious drug dealers in the state. We have been searching for him for long. What helped us is the Ramadan fasting period when drug dealers operate only at night.

    “When they are done peddling drugs in the night and are not expecting any patron in the morning, they oversleep and we take that as an advantage to arrest them.

    “We have arrested about two of them in such manner,’’ Adoro said.

    He noted that feeding the chickens with the drugs as the suspect claimed had its own dangers. The side effects on the chicken would be determined by veterinary experts.

    The NDLEA commander advised those drugging animals in the belief that it could enhance their health status to put humanity and the community into consideration.

    Adoro assured that all suspects arrested would be arraigned upon the completion of investigation.

  • Reps set to legalise use of Indian hemp for economic benefits

    Reps set to legalise use of Indian hemp for economic benefits

    The House Of Representatives is set to legalise the use of Indian Hemp in the country for economic benefit.

    Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu said this during a press conference on the benefits and opportunities of Cannabis in Akure, Ondo state capital Kalu said that the House of Representatives has concluded an arrangement to organize a two-day stakeholders roundtable on the benefits of the weed.

    According to him a date for the stakeholder’s forum, which will attract participants among scientists, medical and pharmaceutical professionals, farmers, insurance companies, executives, and private sector investors has been slated for June 7 and 8.

    He explained that countries such as South Africa and others are currently reaping high revenue from cannabis which they export to other countries.

    “Nigeria has been described as oil-dependent and not oil-rich. It is a worrying reality that we have not optimized the financial stability advantage that our oil reserves can provide us to diversify our collective investment and revenue sources.

    “The coronavirus pandemic exposed our weaknesses when global oil prices plummeted by as much as 15 per cent even falling below $0 a barrel on 20 April 2020.

    “Indeed, our economy is still recovering from that shock. However, as the world increasingly shifts towards renewable energy and climate-friendly energy sources, global oil demand will further drop.

    “Agriculture has always been a major strength of Nigeria and cannabis provides interesting prospects. Industrial hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant species that is grown specifically for industrial use.

    “Once harvested, the crop has a high yield of edible proteins and fibres with more than 50,000 product applications ranging from papermaking, textiles, biodegradable plastics, fuel, construction, healthy food, beverages, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals.

    “According to verified market research, the Global Industrial Hemp Market was valued at USD 5 Billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 36 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 34 per cent from 2019 to 2026. “According to the consultancy firm Prohibition Partners, by 2023, the value of Africa’s legal cannabis market could be worth over USD 7.1 billion.” He explained further that “for this to happen, a candid discourse must be held by all stakeholders on the modalities for legalization, licensing, and regulation of the industry.

    “I hope that the two-day stakeholder’s roundtable discussion on the benefits and opportunities of Cannabis Plant and CBD Oil in Nigeria, scheduled to hold on Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 June 2021 will achieve this. To enable this process of legalization, I have presented before the House of Representatives, the Dangerous Drugs Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which when passed, will usher in a new era of medicinal cannabis from production processing and distribution.

    “I expect that the exchanges that will ensue at the roundtable on June 7 and 8, 2021, will greatly optimize the deliberations of the National Assembly on the bill, as well as preparations by the executive arm of government to regulate the sector.

    “Nigerians must understand that we are not alone in this race to establish a lucrative medical and industrial hemp economy. Based on recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN) voted to remove Cannabis from schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, and reclassified it as medicinal and therapeutic, on December 2, 2020.

    “Several countries have legalized medicinal and industrial hemp and other African countries are moving to do the same.” The Special Adviser to the state governor on Agriculture, Mr Akin Olotu, while speaking at the event said the Ondo state government in conjunction with Culturepreneur Clusters Limited and other partners will hold a stakeholders’ roundtable on the benefits and opportunities of the cannabis plant and CBD Oil in Nigeria.

    Olotu pointed out that the discussion will focus on research, legalisation, licensing, medical advantages, agro-economy advantages, empowerment, benefits of Internal Generated Revenues, Trade Exchange benefits. He said the workshop is aimed at furthering legislation, scientific research and sensitization on the health, industrial benefits of cannabis and CBD oil as well as engaging stakeholders at all levels to leverage the multi-faceted value chain of cannabis.

  • 25-yr-old jailed for unlawful possession of Indian hemp in Ibadan

    25-yr-old jailed for unlawful possession of Indian hemp in Ibadan

    A 25-year-old drug dealer, Afeez Owolabi, was on Monday sentenced to four months in prison by Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court in Ibadan over unlawful possession of 350 grams of Indian hemp.

    Ajoku sentenced Owolabi based on the evidence before her and the fact that the convict pleaded guilty to the offence.

    “This judgme

    nt is in view of the plea of guilt entered by Owolabi and the implication of such on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

    “Also, the convict is a first time offender and that has demonstrated that he would turn a new leaf if given another chance.

    “Therefore, Owolabi is given a four month reformatory sentence.

    “The sentence starts from the date he was first arrested,” the judge said.

    Earlier, the counsel to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Oyo State, Mr Raphael Himinkaiye. had informed the court that the convict was arraigned on a one-count charge of unlawful dealing in narcotics.

    Himinkaiye said Owolabi committed the crime on Feb. 8 at Kobomoje area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

    According to him, the 25-year-old was apprehended with a sack containing 350 grams of the illicit substance.

    The offence, he said, contravened Section 11 (C ) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Law of the Federation, 2004.

  • Police intercept vehicle load of Indian Hemp in Ekiti

    Police intercept vehicle load of Indian Hemp in Ekiti

    The operatives of Ekiti Police Command have intercepted a vehicle in Ise-Ekiti, the headquarters of Ise/Orun Local Government Areas of the state, fully loaded with bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp

    The suspects who were heavily armed were arrested by the police at about 7.45 am when the monthly sanitation programme, which normally cause restriction of human and vehicular movements, was ongoing.

    This development occurred barely two days after a branch of Wema Bank was robbed in the town leading to the death of a police officer, the arrest had fueled the insinuation around town that the suspects were arrested in connection with the bank robbery.

    Addressing newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, the police spokesman, Ekiti Command, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, said the suspects were arrested along Ise-Emure road when his men were on patrol of the area.

    Ikechukwu said they were arrested with dangerous weapons and with full load of substance suspected to be Indian Hemp inside a mini bus fondly called (Akoto).

    “I can’t confirm that four men have been arrested in connection with the Thursday’s bank robbery in Ise Ekiti. We are still investigating and trailing the perpetrators.

    “But I can confirm to your that our men this morning arrested four men inside a mini bus carrying full load of Indian Hemp in Ise Ekiti.

    “Apart from the fact they transported this dangerous weeds, they were caught with dangerous weapons which were not expected to be carried about.

    “They are currently being detained and investigation has begun to be able to ascertain the extent of their involvement in the illicit business, so that their syndicates can be fished out”, he said.

  • Corps members caught smoking Indian hemp will be dismissed – NYSC DG

    The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, has said that any corps members caught smoking Indian hemp would be dismissed.

    Ibrahim stated this while addressing Batch B Stream 2 corps members undergoing orientation at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Sagamu, on Friday.

    The director-general noted that if anyone was caught breaking the rules or abusing drugs and substances, such corps member would be handed over to the police and dismissed for good.

    “Let posterity guide you in every decision and action you take in life.

    “You can imagine how much your parents have invested in you so that they could have rest of mind in their old ages knowing full well you are capable of fending for yourself.

    “How do you think they will feel if anyone of you is dismissed for bad conduct? Everywhere you go in life they will ask you what happened.

    “So, I implore you to always be of good conduct and imbibe the tenets of the scheme for which you were called to serve.

    “Unity and discipline, fundamental aspects of your orientation, should guide you throughout the duration of your service,” he said.

    He also urged the corps members to take advantage of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme put in place by the NYSC to empower the youth develop the entrepreneurship skills to make them self-reliant.

    He said the Bank of Industry and the CBN were ready to provide incentives in form of short loans to aid corps members’ commercial drive.

    “Once you benefit from the loan scheme please I beg you not to default so that others too can benefit from the programme.

    “Gone are the days where you can relax somewhere after obtaining your certificates and expect white collar jobs at the centre.

    “You must develop your creative enterprise and make jobs where none exists. Seek to be employers and not employees,” the DG said.

    He asked corps members to be security conscious at all times while also imploring them to avail themselves with the numbers of security officials at their places of posting.

    “Your ID cards are what identifies and enables people to come to your aid if need be. Please have them with you at all times,” he added.

  • NDLEA in C’River arrests 180 drug suspects in 2018

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Cross River Command arrested 180 persons for drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in 2018.

    The State NDLEA Commander, Mrs Anthonia Edeh, made this known in the command’s 2018 Annual Report released in Calabar on Monday.

    Edeh said that within the period under review, a total of 251.552 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) were seized from suspects.

    “Also 30.90 grammes of Cocaine; 14.80 grammes of Heroin and 22.5 kilogrammes of Psychotropic substances were seized, ” she said.

    The commander said that within the period under review, 51 drug offenders were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment ranging from six months to 10 years by the Federal High Court, Calabar Division.

    According to her, 71 drug addicts comprising 64 males and seven females were counselled and reintegrated with their families.

    She attributed the successes recorded by the command in the year under review to the support and cooperation of the Cross River Government and members of the public.

    “We need more of such support from the government and well-meaning citizens of the state in tackling drug menace in our society,’’ Edeh said.

    The commander decried the rising cases of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state, especially among the youth.

    She, however, called on parents to always insist on knowing the movement of their wards.

    Edeh also appealed to members of the public to furnish the agency with information about those involved in the sale of hard drugs and psychotropic substances in their neighborhood.

     

  • Mother of six bags 20 months imprisonment for dealing on Indian hemp

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday sentenced a housewife, Stella Izuorah, and Emmanuel Izuorah, her brother in-law, to 10 months imprisonment each with hard labour, for dealing on cannabis saliva (popularly called Indian hemp).

    The convicts had pleaded guilty to a count charge of illegal possession and unlawful trade in Indian hemp, punishable under Section 14 of the NDLEA Act.

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole in passing the sentence, said he had carefully considered the allocutus of the defence counsel, Mr Victor Okangbe, who had earlier on May 2, pleaded for leniency on behalf of the convicts.

    The judge also said that the court had considered the sociological and psychological nature of the case as well as the category of hard drugs found in their possession.

    He said the sentence would assist the convicts to reform, as the first convict is a mother of six children, while the second is an unemployed graduate.

    Kolawole ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement (NDLEA) to confiscate and refund N33, 620 found in the possession of the convicts’ at the time of their arrest into the account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    He told the convicts to thank God that they were arrested for Indian hemp and not cocaine.

    According to the prosecutor, Mr Mike Kassa, the convicts were arrested with 17.6 kilogrames of cannabis sativa, in Jabi, Abuja, on Sept.28, 2017.

    The first convict, in her confessional statement, said that she helps her husband, Izuorah Ignatius, now at large, to sell and distribute Indian hemp.

    She said she was assisted by the second defendant, Emmanuel, who lives with them in Mpape, Abuja.

    She also confessed that her husband sends the Indian hemp in bags through public transport from Onitsha to Abuja, where she collects and distributes to customers.

    NAN