NDLEA arrests 2 suspected hemp farmers

Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested two suspected cannabis farmers.

The suspects, Ohmai Friday, 36 and Friday Ohiuan, 45, were arrested in Sabogida-Ora and Afuze in Owan West and Owan East local government areas of the state.

Parading the suspects yesterday, NDLEA state commander, Buba Wakawa, said Friday was caught with 241kilogramme while Ohiuan was caught with 177 kilogrammes of cannabis.

Wakawa further disclosed that the command also impounded a Toyota Sienna bus filled with cannabis weighing 540 kilogrammes.

He said the bus was intercepted at Utese community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state with 45 bags of cannabis weighing 540 kilogrammes.

He added that the driver on sighting the NDLEA officials abandoned the vehicle and fled.

Wakawa assured that efforts are ongoing to arrest those behind the illicit drug shipment, added that the vehicle would be forfeited to the federal government.

Speaking with journalists, Ohiuan said he started cannabis cultivation so as to raise money in preparation for the burial of his motherin-law, who is still alive but very old.

“My hope has been dashed. I have been cultivating cannabis for the past three years but thieves did not allow me to enjoy the fruit of my labour. The 177kg was all that was left and now NDLEA has come to carry the leftover," he said.

On his part, Ohmai Friday, said "I am a driver but after I had accident I relocated to the village where I was introduced into cannabis cultivation by a friend. The drug found with me was all that I harvested but was yet to sell before my arrest."