Drugs: NDLEA Arrests Ondo Govt Drivers

Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted a vehicle belonging to the Ondo State Government with 316.65 kilogrammes of prohibited drugs. Two drivers, working with the Ondo State Government, have also been arrested, the NDLEA said this morning.

In a statement, Ofoyeju said that the NDLEA has impounded a Hilux vehicle belonging to the Ondo State Government loaded with cannabis.

“A group of female believed to be the brain behind cannabis trafficking and two male drivers with the Ondo State Government have been smashed. The suspects last week met their waterloo when they were arrested along Lagos-Ibadan expressway on their way from Owo in Ondo State,” Ofoyeju said.

NDLEA Lagos State Commander, Aliyu Sule, said the suspects are Mr. Olasupo Taofeeq Olabode, 31, a driver with the Ondo State government, Mrs. Rose Ossai, 39, a petty trader, Mrs. Grace Adejo, 40, also a trader.

NDLEA did not disclose the identity of the second driver, but said Olabode implicated another driver with the Ondo State Government whose name was given as Ogidan Kayode.

According to the commander, the suspects smuggle cannabis from Owo in Ondo State and distribute in Lagos.

“This group made up of women cannabis merchants and two drivers specialise in inter-state distribution of cannabis. They operate cleverly and smoothly using official vehicles as a cover. We got the information and have been working hard to arrest them. We must work hard in making Lagos drug free,” Aliyu said.

He added that one driver and two women who are members of the group but currently at large are being hunted by officials of the command.

NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, noted that the use of official vehicle belonging to the state government is an indication of the desperation of drug barons.

According him, “this is worrisome because these are mothers with children distributing cannabis to other children. I urge members of the public to report suspected cases of drug trafficking to the agency. The consequences of these drugs on the society are grave. Drug barons are constantly looking for who they will engage in their illicit trade and it is wise not to yield to their deception.”

NDLEA said that the suspects have made confessional statements on their involvement in the criminal act and investigation is still ongoing.

The agency also dispelled rumours that detained Nollywood comedian, Baba Suwe, who was arrested 13 days ago while on his way to Paris, France, has excreted any drugs, as speculated on social network sites yesterday.

“Let them continue to advertise their ignorance on Facebook,” Mitchell Ofoyeju, NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, said.

—Simon Ateba