From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Cross River State Command has seized 2.687 tonnes of cannabis sativa and its seeds in Obereakai community, Akamkpa Local Government Area.
According to Rachael Umebuali, State Commander of NDLEA, the seizure was made following a tip-off and a four-hour operation between 11 pm on Wednesday and 3 am on Thursday. “We discovered a warehouse with several bags of Indian hemp and arrested three suspects,” she said.
The seeds weigh about 163kg and could be cultivated on at least 1,000 hectares of farmland. Umebuali expressed concern about the potential impact of such a large quantity of drugs on the community, saying, “If released into society, it would bring significant harm.”
Umebuali appreciated the state government’s support, particularly from the Office of the State Security Adviser, which facilitated the successful operation. She assured that the agency would continue to combat drug trafficking in the state.
“The people go to the rural areas, places they know it’s difficult to access because of the terrain so they can perpetuate this evil.
“As long as people can reach there, we will also reach there because it’s our business to combat this menace,” she said.
She assured that the agency will go after the main suspect behind the seized drugs and bring him alongside the suspects to book in line with the law.
The suspects arrested comprise Friday Archibong, 47; Abraham Anthony, 21; and Utibe Okon, 24.
Archibong claimed to be the landlord of the premises, stating he rented it to one Ruben Udo, who allegedly escaped with his family.
Abraham Anthony revealed that the drugs were typically transported by boat via the Okpo River from farms owned by Ruben Udo.
Utibe Okon said he was hired by his in-law, Ruben Udo, two months ago to upload the substances from the river and store them in the warehouse.