The Nigerian Navy ship Luguard has arrested one suspect identified as Aliyu Lawal and intercepted 620 metric tonnes of cannabis sativa, popularly called India hemp, in Kogi State.
The 620 seized cannabis sativa weighs 110 kilogrammes.
Parading the suspect in Lokoja, the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Luguard, Commodore Mosses Epelle, said, “At about 12pm on April 4, 2024, personnel of NNS Luguard deployed at Jamata checkpoint arrested a navy blue golf car with registration number HK511ABC conveying 620 parcels of substance suspected to be marijuana.
“One of the two suspects escaped from the car while the driver, identified as Aliyu Lawal, confirmed moving the substance from Edo State to Abuja en route to Lokoja.
Other items recovered were a Police MESS membership card and a camouflage jungle hat, among other things, with which the suspects made their way through checkpoints.
“Upon arrest, the suspect’s effort to bribe the personnel was to no avail, as they were guided by the core values of the Nigerian Navy, which include professionalism, integrity, and teamwork.”
Epelle advised hoodlums to desist from illicit means of livelihood, stressing that the long arm of the law would catch up with them.
“The Nigerian Navy ship Luguard has resolved to stem the tide of insecurity in Kogi State. The arrest will serve as a deterrent to other criminals in Kogi State. On January 23, this year, a similar fit was accomplished.
Receiving the seized substance from the Nigerian Navy ship Luguard, the superintendent of narcotics at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Kogi State Command, Olorunfemi Abolarin, said the command will begin an investigation, adding that, once it is concluded, the suspect will be charged to court.
“NDLEA has been doing tremendously well across the country to reduce the transportation of hard drugs. Here in Kogi State, every day we have been making arrests and seizures. The suspects will be charged in court when the investigation is concluded,” Abolarin said.
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