The Kaduna State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said on Thursday that
it had seized bags of Indian hemp valued at N19.5 million following an arrest.
The Commander, Mr Samuel Azige, told a news briefing in Kaduna that the substance was seized from a suspect, Mr Ejiro Kehinde, at Kakau village, along Kaduna-Abuja road on Feb. 7.
“The arrest was made around 5 a.m. with the help of our intellegence officers after receiving information about the suspect.
“After arresting him, he took us to his warehouse where we found the hemp stashed in rooms and septic tank.
“This is one of the biggest arrests in the northern part of the country since the establishment of the agency,’’ the commander said.
He said 780.5 bags of the substance weighing eight tonnes were siezed from the suspect.
The commander said also that three vehicles belonging to the suspect were also seized.
Azige disclosed that the suspect would be charged to court immediately.
The suspect, who hails from Delta but residing in Kaduna, said he had been in the business since 2011.
“I am doing this job because of poverty. I finished from secondary school and could not further my education due to financial challenges.
Kehinde said he purchased the Indian hemp in Edo and distributed it to dealers in Kaduna.
He pleaded for mercy and urged the youth to look for meaningful jobs to do and not engage in risky businesses.sAY
