Posted by By MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta on
It was a big catch for the Nigerian-Benin Joint Border Patrol, Idi-Iroko, Ogun State on Saturday as it arrested a drug trafficker with Indian hemp which weighed 366 kilograms.
It was a big catch for the Nigerian-Benin Joint Border Patrol, Idi-Iroko, Ogun State on Saturday as it arrested a drug trafficker with Indian hemp which weighed 366 kilograms.
The highest seizure in the history of the international patrol was recorded by the patrol led by Superintendent of Police, Mr. Evans Elem Shem.
The 'Indian hemp", which was conceived in 61 bags with each weighing 6 kilogrammes, was intercepted by the vigilante team at Oritakogbo, a border village in Imeko/Afon Local Government Area of the state.
The baron is currently cooling off in the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency's (NDLEA) cell which is investigating the suspect's involvement in the large scale drug trafficking in the boarder areas.
Addressing journalists, Mr. Shem, said the arrest and seizure cost his team two days in the bush after the patrol got a hint about the nefarious activity.
'This is one of our biggest seizures as far as this dangerous weed is concerned. We are able to achieve this through our intelligence network, which will be further dragged to check the illicit trade. They usually buy across the border. Sometimes, when they buy from Nigeria , they transport across to the border, but if they buy from our neighbouring states, they try to transport into the country.
'We are glad that this seizure is coming few days after the Inspector General of Police asked us to man the border very tightly. We are excited about this arrest and seizure, but I can assure you that we are not going to rest on our oars."
Shem, who said the patrol was more active now than before, also expressed delight at the unflinching supports of other security agencies in Idi-Iroko area.
He warned smugglers and drug traffickers to stop their illegal trade or continue to face the wrath of the Federal Government.
'This administration has zero-tolerance for crimes and criminality, and that's why we are more determined than before to fight them to a standstill. We are better equipped now than before, so there is no reason why we can't perform better."
The (NDLEA) Deputy Commander (Idi iroko), Mr. Waziri Sanni, who received the dangerous weeds on behalf of the agency, expressed delight about the existing cordial relationship between the two Agencies.
The suspect, who spoke with Daily Sun, admitted his involvement in the nefarious activity, but pleaded for forgiveness.
'I was pushed by the prevailing harsh economic situation in the country. This is my first time of involving myself in this. I beg for forgiveness from God and human beings," he pleaded regrettably.