The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced that a 24 hectares of Indian hemp plantation in Oyo state was on Thursday, June 11, destroyed following a six-hour joint operation with the Nigeria police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and the state’s Ministries of Natural Resources and Forest Reserve.
PM news reports that that the plantation was found at Seriki Centre of the Gambari forest reserve and destroyed.
Mrs Omolade Faboyede, NDLEA’s state commander, said:“By June 28, the NDLEA will observe the United Nations Day Against Illicit Trafficking and Drug Abuse. The international message of hope for this year is `Drug Use Disorder is Preventable and Treatable.”
She said the operatives have raided the plantation two years ago and were surprised to see the plantation growing cannabis.
“About two years ago, we burnt a cultivation of cannabis in this same forest and it is shocking to find out this 24 hectares of cannabis have been cultivated again. We have been monitoring this every year and that is why we have discovered this early before it reaches maturity.
“You can imagine the damage and dangers of drug abuse if this much quantity had gotten into the public.
“This will be a continuous exercise and the state government has planned to bring foreign investors to occupy the land and dissuade future illegal activities,” she said.
The NDLEA boss added that work will be put in with collaboration with the state Ministry of Natural Resources to educate members of the ministry and the country on identification of the plant.
She said of the drug use in Nigeria, “We also appeal to members of the public to work with us in our efforts to prevent people to curb drug abuse and trafficking. It comes with adverse effects and atrocities are perpetrated through it.”
Regarded as an illicit drug in many countries, marijuana is outlawed by many governments including that of Nigeria.
The drug is used by celebrities and high ranking members of the society mostly for recreation. It is called Indian hemp, weed, skonk (sk), parole, knockout by many Nigerians.
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