The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed approximately 255 hectares of cannabis farms in Ondo state, spread over five local government areas.
During a massive operation that lasted seven days in five major forests, 13 people were detained and 250 kilos of cannabis seeds as well as 63.85 kilograms of weeds were recovered.
Omolowo/Powerline forest, Ipele forest, Ala forest, Ogbese forest, Utte, and Okuluse forest are among the forests that span five local council districts in the state.
The exercise, codenamed “Operation Abub,” began at Ogbese forest on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 and lasted until Monday, February 21, 2022, according to the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
“At Ala forest, Akure North Local Government Area, not less than 154kg of cannabis seeds were also confiscated, with over 30 hectares of irrigation cannabis crops demolished and burned,” the statement added.
“Another suspect, John Mike, was captured with 2.5kg of cannabis seeds while claiming to be a laborer.”
“Over 50 clusters of cannabis farms spread across 47 hectares were destroyed and 2kg of cannabis seeds seized on the last day of the operation, Monday 21st February,” according to the statement, “while a suspect, Olorunlogo Lekan, was apprehended inside a large cannabis farm measuring 10 hectares at Ala forest.”
“The NDLEA’s Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd), praised the officers and men of the Agency’s Strike Force corps for their sacrifices and devotion to President Muhammadu Buhari’s direction that all cannabis production and plantations in forests be found and destroyed.
“He charged them to keep an eye out for more of these farms in any section of the country for similar results,” the statement continued.