My regrets, by man in NDLEA net over N7.4 million worth of cannabis

By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi

Many are still reeling from shock as they ponder over the implication of 498kgs of Cannabis, otherwise known as Indian hemp, entering the drug market in Bauchi State. But this was fortunately averted, thanks to eagle-eyed operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, who had risen to the occasion by impounding it at Azare, a local government area of the state.

The belief is that if this huge consignment of drugs had not been detected and impounded, there was a possibility that it could have triggered an increase in crime rate in the state.

Vanguard Metro, VM, gathered that on August 17, 2012, the command made a seizure of 489kgs of Cannabis Sativa worth 7.4 million concealed inside a truck with registration number XP 67 MUS. The owner of the truck, who happened to be the driver and major conspirator in the illegal deal of the Cannabis, was arrested.

The suspect, Olisaemeka Wilson Chinedu, aged 27 years, is an indigene of Delta State, but resides in Akure, Ondo State where he sources for this product of death and distributes it in the North East political zone of the country.

Parading the suspect at the NDLEA headquarters in Bauchi, the Commander of the Agency, Mr.Parah Julus Parah, told newsmen that Olisaemeka Wilson Chinedu was arrested due to the increased intelligence gathering by the officers of the Command.

489kgs drug haul…seized by NDLEA. INSET: The suspect, Olisaemeka Wilson Chinedu

He said the suspect who was arrested during the public holidays (Sallah day), was accompanied by another drug peddler known as Mr.Okun who escaped in a bus when he saw the officers of the Command.

According to the NDLEA boss: “What makes this arrest spectacular is the fact that it is the largest single seizure in the history of the command. The arrest and seizure is coming at a time when all hands are supposed to be on deck towards curbing the fragile security situation in the country. Involvement of people in drugs stands condemnable considering the fact that drug intake is a catalyst that fuels crime”.

Enumerating other exploits of the Command over the past two months, Mr. Parah disclosed that last month July 19, 2012, one Benjamin I. Swande was arrested with 13kg of Cannabis Sativa. He said the suspect implicated his boss, a drug baron, Dogo Samuel, who attempted to kill the case by offering the Agency a bribe of N150, 000, but was arrested  and the money seized.

While  saying that the suspects, their vehicles, bribe money and other exhibits are in the Command’s custody pending  prosecution, he called on members of the public to collaborate with the Agency by exposing drug peddlers in the state, saying that information shared with NDLEA will be treated in confidentiality

Speaking with VM, the 27-year-old suspect, Olisaemeka, confessed that the drugs belonged to his father and he was paid the sum of N20,000 out of N120,000 by one Mr. Okun he was travelling with when they were intercepted by officers of NDLEA, adding that the said Mr Okun escaped.

He, however, expressed regrets over his actions, saying: “I regret my actions because I know that my wife and children will not be happy if they discover that this is what I do for a living. Since the drug business is very juicy, many people are doing it just to become rich. Although, I know it is illegal, I wanted to make more money so that I will not be looked down upon by my friends. When I receive bail, I promise never to return to this kind of business again”.