BENIN CITY – Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Edo State Command have intercepted a vehicle conveying two hundred and thirty eight kilograms (238kg) of cannabis to Port Harcourt in Rivers State. The vehicle belongs to an inter state cannabis smuggling syndicate. The driver of the vehicle was also apprehended in connection with the crime.
NDLEA commander in the State, Buba Wakawa who diaclosed this to journalists in Benin said that the drug was concealed in a false compartment in a bus. “The suspect is being held in connection with unlawful possession of 17 bags of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis weighing 238kg hidden in a false compartment of the bus. The arrest took place at Abudu along Benin Agbor road based on intelligence report.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the Iveco J5 Bus with registration number Lagos XL 591 MUS conveying the cannabis took off from Ifon in Ondo State going to Port Harcourt but was promptly intercepted by officers of the Irrua Area Command on routine patrol.
The syndicate used the mode of concealment to smuggle drugs undetected. There were few empty crates of beer to mislead officers that there are no goods in the bus. Fortunately, they were caught in the act. We are working to bring all members of the criminal group to justice, the commander assured.
The suspect Emmanuel Akposike, a 48 years old man who hails from Delta State is married with four children.
The suspect in his statement admitted transporting cannabis to earn a living.
“I attended primary school in my home town, Owhelogbo in Isoko North Local Government Area. After my primary education, I learnt welding from 1989 to 1994. However, in 1995 I changed my carrier to driving. I transport cannabis to earn a living. I am not the owner. They gave me 25,000 naira after fuel and other expenses to deliver the drug” he stated.
The suspect according to the commander will soon be charged to court.
