Five fishermen were arrested by the Marine Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) when they tried to smuggle 1,020.5 kilos of compressed dried weeds suspected to be cannabis, the biggest single package ever seized by the unit.
The fishermen, comprising Benoinese, Ghanaian and a Nigerian have been arrested in connection with the illegal importation of the drug, street value of N10 million, from Ghana.
The suspects conveying the drugs in a motorised boat at the time of arrest were Joseph Akpe, 36, Nigerian; Gabriel Fokito, 32, Ghanaian; Zutah Edward, 42, Ghanaian; Ameriato Tafe, 30, Beninese and Celestine Azarante, 27, Benoinese.
NDLEA Apapa Port Commander, Mr Nse Jack, said: “Officers of the Marine Unit, Apapa Port Command of the agency intercepted a boat containing 23 consignment of compressed dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa, concealed in white sacks and wrapped in black polythene. The shipment originated from Ghana through Benin Republic.”
The suspects, in their statements, have owned up to the crime and will be charged to court soon.
According to Akpe, who led other suspects, they would have collected a balance of N250,000 if not for the arrest.
Speaking on the development, chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, commended the marine officers for their vigilance leading to the arrest saying: “This is a warning to drug barons that the agency is prepared to halt their illicit drug activities on water, land and on the air. I commend the officers for their vigilance.”
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