The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ondo/Ekiti Command, has intercepted over 140 sacks of Cannabis sativa, popularly known as Indian hemp, weighing over 1,400 kilograms.
With the substance valued at N112 million, the suspects as well as the hard drugs were handed over to the state command of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
The NCS Comptroller in charge of the command, Mrs Morenikeji Bewaji, stated that the consignment was intercepted while being conveyed by two suspects in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital.
Bewaji emphasized that the suspects were apprehended following an intel that was received by operatives of the command.
According to Bewaji, the suspects absconded after being granted bail by the command on health grounds.
While maintaining that the surety for the two suspects, Mr Victor Ayodeji, has been arrested and handed over to the NDLEA for prosecution, the Comptroller, lamented over the high volume of illicit drugs, particularly cannabis sativa.
She further stressed that the situation
posed a grave threat to society, stating that drug abuse had fuelled criminal activities and insecurity and as well undermined the socio-economic stability of the country.