130 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa concealed inside the LPG cylinder of a truck seized by NDLEA in Calabar
NDLEA impounds 1.4 tons of cannabis concealed inside LPG truck in Calabar
Anti-narcotic agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its Cross River Command has impounded 1.4 tons of cannabis sativa in Calabar, the state capital.
NDLEA which disclosed that the drugs come with street value of N26 million, said the cannabis was packed in 130 jumbo bags and concealed inside an LPG cylinder of a truck intended to convey cooking gas from Ondo State to Calabar.
Commander of the NDLEA Cross River State Command, Mr. Kupi Maulsei, described the seizure as the ‘first of its kind in this part of the country.’
“Through intelligence gathering and painstaking investigation, the command impounded the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) truck and 13 motorcycles deep inside a forest in Odukpani local government area. While assessing the truck, my officers discovered that the truck, which was purchased in June 2022 has never been used to convey gas.
“Rather when they opened the pumps, the smell was different and checking inside the cylinder recovered 130 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa with a street value of 200,000 naira per bag totaling 26 Million Naira. The motorcycles included 2 power bikes and 11 others also valued at about 10 million naira besides other tools, even the truck was bought at 28 Million Naira solely for this business,” Maulsei said.
Continuing, the commander said one of those involved was arrested, while investigation was ongoing to apprehend the supplier, who is in Ondo State and the buyer in Cross River State, noting that the command was determined to ensure illegal drugs were mopped up this election period.
“We are tracking the supplier and buyer’s whereabouts. The command will not rest on its oars until that gang is squashed completely. Imagine the quantity of drugs coming into the State during this period when we are going for elections. It has the potential of heightening violence and insecurity during the elections and we cannot allow that happen. In collaboration with other security agencies, the NDLEA is ready to do its part to guarantee peaceful and transparent election devoid of every form of violence,” he further stated.
He explained that the officers despite being constantly under attacks by citizens, recently destroyed 15 hectares of cannabis sativa farm in Akamkpa local government area with the support of the 13 Brigade Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
The commander hinted that besides arresting, impounding and destroying illegal drugs and facilities, the command through its Drug Demand Reduction Unit, assist families rehabilitate relatives suffering from addictions.
