 |
| Parcels of Indian hemp used to illustrate the story [Photo credit: Independent Newspaper Nigeria] |
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ekiti has destroyed no fewer than 3.7 hectares of hemp farmland at Ire-Ekiti Forest in the Oye Local Government Area of the state.
Additionally, the agency confiscated 1,465kg of compounds believed to be hemp from the site and detained eight individuals, including a lady allegedly involved in growing the illegal crop.
The team for the operations to Ire-Ekiti on Friday was led by Kabir Ibrahim, a Deputy Commander for Operations and Investigation, and Isaac Fadare, the Principal Staff In-Charge of Operations of the NDLEA in the state.
Mr Ibrahim speaking with reporters shortly after the raiding of the three farms located about 20 kilometres away from the town, said that the agency acted on tips about the hemp plantation in the forest in Ire-Ekiti.
“Acting on pieces of information that there is a Cannabis sativa plantation, popularly known as hemp here in Ire-Ekiti forest and that the people have started harvesting, we immediately swung into action.
“Identified the three farms, recovered 1,465 kg of the substance and arrested eight suspects.
“The farms which are located about 20 kilometres away from the town, spanned over 3.7 hectares of land mass,” he said.
Mr Ibrahim urged members of the communities to cultivate legitimate crops on their farm plantation as against planting hemp.
(NAN)