The Nation Newspaper

Tag: cannabis

  • UN urges Nigeria to relax law on cannabis

    The United Nations on Monday urged the Nigerian government to relax laws on consumption of cannabis in future, saying it has approved the use of the drug for medical purposes.

    The UN is also insisting on decriminalization of drug users in parts of the world, especially sick people who used the drug for treatment, care and rehabilitation.

    The global body’s position on the drug was revealed by the Project Officer of the UN Office on Drugs and Crimes in Nigeria, Harsheth Kaur Virk, during her presentation at a one day public hearing on the need to check menace of pharmaceutical drugs abuse among youths in Nigeria.

    The public hearing was organised by the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Health.

    Virk said cannabis is a miracle drug allowed for medical purposes by UN but not for recreational purposes.

    She said: “The Drugs and Crime Office of the UN sees addictive drugs users as people who are sick and in need of treatment, care and rehabilitation. ”

     

     

  • Customs impounds 88 packs of cannabis sativa in Ogun – Official

    Customs impounds 88 packs of cannabis sativa in Ogun – Official

    Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Command, has seized 88 packs of Cannabis sativa also known as weeds and 42 compressed packs of books on Ihunbo-Okeodon, Idiroko road.

    Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS Public Relations Officer, made the disclosure in a statement made available to our reporter on Monday in Ota, Ogun.

    Maiwada said that with the help of credible intelligence the NCS officials also seized four bales of second hand clothing and shoes suspected to have been used to conceal compressed packs of cannabis.

    According to him, Mr Seni Madugu, the Area Controller of NCS, has directed that the seized items should be handed over to the NDLEA, Idiroko command, for investigation in line with the synergy between sister security agencies working at the border.

    Read Also: Customs seizes four containers of fake drugs

    “The NDLEA, Idiroko Special Command, field tested the aforementioned items using the United Nations Test Kit and confirmed that the items were positive for Cannabis Sativa and weighed 77 Kilogrammes,” he said.

    He also described as disturbing the rate, desperation and determination by smugglers to exploit all avenues to smuggle such unhealthy items into the society.

    Maiwada, however, appealed to all patriotic Nigerians to cooperate and support the security agencies in the fight against smugglers in order to be ahead of them.

  • Nepal police arrest 279 in crackdown on drugs inside Hindu temple

    Nepal police arrest 279 in crackdown on drugs inside Hindu temple

    Authorities in Nepal have arrested 279 people over the last five months in a crackdown on the sale and use of cannabis inside a major Hindu temple in Kathmandu, a police officer said Monday.

    Police said they have charged 116 with illegal use and possession of cannabis and other drugs, and released the rest after warnings.

    “We have sent some of the drug users to rehabilitation centres. There were 20 children and 18 women among those arrested,” said Anup Shrestha, a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Kathmandu.

    Read Also: Natural disasters affect 41 million people in Bangladesh, India, Nepal

    He said three holy men were also among those arrested.

    Shrestha said the crackdown began in September after authorities received complaints about the widespread use and sale of drugs inside Pashupatinath Temple complex, a UN World Heritage Site thronged by Hindu pilgrims from India and Nepal.

    Thousands of Indian holy men visit the temple during the Hindu festival of Shivaratri, which falls on Feb. 13 this year.

    While the holy men are allowed to smoke cannabis during the festival, others have been taking the opportunity to indulge in the drug themselves.

    dpa/NAN

  • Man remanded over possession of cannabis

    A Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has ordered the remand of one Ali Bello in prison custody over alleged possession of cannabis.

    Counsel to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) ,Mr Charles Nwagua told the court that the defendant committed the offence on December 14, 2017 at Ise -Ekiti

    He alleged that the defendant, on the said date,without lawful authority possessed 1.6kg of Cannabis Sativa, otherwise known as Indian hemp.

    According to him, the offence contravened Section 19 of the NDLEA ,Act.Cap N30,Laws of Federation of Nigeria. 2004.

    The defendant pleaded guilty to the offence while his counsel, Mr Tunde Falade prayed the court for a liberal ruling since he didn’t waste the time of the court.

    Justice Taiwo Taiwo consequently ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.

    He adjourned for judgment to February.

  • Army busts up cannabis dealers operation in Ondo

    Army busts up cannabis dealers operation in Ondo

    Men of the  32 Artillery Brigade in Ondo State yesterday reportedly crushed a ‘notorious’ Indian Hemp ( cannabis ) syndicate inside a forest in Owo, Ondo State.

    The operation followed  a tip off on the activities of the gangsters in a hideout in the remote forest in the community.

    It was learnt that during the operation, there was  exchange of fire between the troops and the suspects who later fled due to superior fire power of the soldiers against them.

    Army intercepts Cannabis dealers
    Army intercepts Cannabis dealers
    Army intercepts Cannabis dealers
    Army intercepts Cannabis dealers

    The drug dealers were said to have been operating in the farm with impunity.

    The troops reportedly recovered 63 bags of Indian Hemp, 23 expended cartridges and nine unexpended cartridges.

    Criminal activities of the syndicate are rampant especially in Owo, Ogbese and Ose axis of the Sunshine state.

    Read also: NDLEA arrests 240 suspected drug traffickers

    Late last year,officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies ( NDLEA ) across the six geo-political zone were in Ala forest near Ogbese, Akure North local government overnight where they destroyed several acres of ‘cannabis’ plantation.

    The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Owena Barracks, Akure, Major Ojo Adelegan urged the public to always avail the security agencies useful information on criminal acts in the State.

    He also warned  criminals to stay away from the state, stressing that there is no room for any illegality and undesirable elements in the State.

  • NDLEA arrest 250 suspects, seize drugs in Delta

    NDLEA arrest 250 suspects, seize drugs in Delta

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Delta Command (NDLEA), has said no fewer than 200 males and 50 female suspects with 6,844 kg of cannabis, 2.09 kg of cocaine, and 22.2 grams of heroin in 2017.

    Also he said the  drug agency have  secured 19 convictions, destroyed 4.2 hectares of cannabis farm, 1.0 hectares of cannabis within the period.

    He lamented the shortage of personnel, equipment, and funds to effectively carry out the fight against illicit drugs in State.

    Obiefule who spoke to reporters in Asaba-the Delta State Capital, said the agency in the state has five commands, manned by 84 personnel including cleaners with two operational vehicles for the twenty five local government areas.

    He said   non-release of funds has affected their operations in the state, urging government to focus on the fight against illicit drugs.

    His words, “There is no way you can fight insecurity without addressing the issues of illicit drugs. Delta State is notorious in the cultivation of illicit drugs. It is a major issue in the state and the worst is that the people don’t seem to appreciate the dangerous effect of drugs. It is not all about money, think of the future of your generation and that of the nation. ”

    Continuing; “Drugs problem is not for an individual alone, it a societal challenge. When you enter a motor park you will notice that we are not safe, and we cannot keep quiet. Today, there is hardly a night life because of crime. The few individuals into illicit drugs in Delta is giving the state a bad name. For long time Delta State has been notorious and some of the dealers have vowed not to stop.”

    He said the only way forward is to educate the citizens on the effects of drugs, adding that NDLEA rely on the collaboration of the indigenes.

    He said drug dealers have instilled fears on the people, adding that this has hampered efforts to educate the people on the deleterious effect on drugs.

    Obiefule said the state command has delivered 20 lectures about drugs abuse as a way of contributing to creating awareness in the public.

    Obiefule listed the introduction of visa clearance in collaboration with some embassies in the country as a major milestone

    He however, urged Nigerians not to stand surety for any person seeking clearance from NDLEA to travel abroad, noting that if an individual is found in illicit drugs both the suspect and the surety will face the law.

  • NDLEA arrests 119 drug traffickers in Katsina

    NDLEA arrests 119 drug traffickers in Katsina

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) in Katsina State, said on Wednesday that it had arrested 119 suspects for drug related offences between Sept. 15 and Nov. 14.

    Hajiya Maryam Sani, the NDLEA Commander in the state, who made this disclosure while briefing newsmen in Katsina, said the suspects included 104 males, four females and 11 students of higher institutions in the state.

    Read: Court remands man caught with Indian hemp

    She said the command seized 53.5kg of cannabis sativa and 48.1gm of psychotropic substances that included diazepam, exol and tramadol.

    “We also seized 49.7 litres of cough syrups with codeine, which translate to 497 bottles,’’ she said.

    The commander disclosed that the total seizures stood at 101 kg of the illegal substances.

    She said that the command was counselling 90 suspects on drug addiction in its counselling and rehabilitation centre.

    ‘’The NDLEA will continue to do its best in the fight against drug abuse and peddling in Katsina State,’’ she said.

    Sani called on traditional and religious leaders to continue to assist the agency in the ongoing fight against drug abuse in the state.

    NAN

  • Man nabbed with N.5m cannabis in Jigawa

    Man nabbed with N.5m cannabis in Jigawa

    The Jigawa Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday said it had arrested a 46-year-old man (name withheld) and seized from him 64.75kg of cannabis worth N500,000.

    The Commandant, Josephine Obi, who disclosed this to newsmen in Dutse said the suspect was arrested on Sunday at about 10 a.m., along Chaichai road in Dutse.

    Obi said that the suspect had confessed to be piloting another vehicle conveying 250kg of the illicit drug.

    “The suspect was arrested by men of the command while on routine patrol along Chaichai road in Dutse.

    “The suspect was nabbed in an 8-seater Toyota bus with Reg: BV 305 LND, and we were amazed about the way he smartly concealed such amount of cannabis in the vehicle.

    “Every least expected space in the vehicle was filled with 69 parcel of compressed hemp.

    “He confessed being in this business for about two years and also confessed to be piloting another vehicle conveying similar drug.

    “Unfortunately, the other managed to escaped by noticing what was happening from far away,’’ the commander said.

    Obi alleged further that the suspect soaked the items in detergent solution to distort the odour of the substance in order to avoid detection.

    She urged members of the public to support the agency with credible information that would assist in tackling rampant abuse of illicit drugs in the state.

    Obi said that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.

  • Deaf, dumb guard gets five years for dealing in cannabis, cocaine

    Deaf, dumb guard gets five years for dealing in cannabis, cocaine

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court Ikoyi at the weekend sentenced a deaf and dumb and a security guard to five years imprisonment each for dealing in cannabis and cocaine.

    The deaf and dumb, Abbas Ahmed, 23, was arrested by police officers on February 5, 2014 along Agege Motor Road, Lagos while dealing in a kilogramme of cannabis, a narcotic drug similar to cocaine contrary to and punishable under Section 11 (c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2001.

    Adebowale Michael, 22, security guard was arrested with four pinches of cocaine weighing 0.7 grammes at Oniru Estate, Lekki Ajah Lagos by patriotic youths in February 2017 who handed him over to the police.

    He was later transferred to the NDLEA where he was charged for unlawful dealing in cocaine contrary to and punishable under the NDLEA Act.

    After a protracted trial of Abbas in which the court engaged the services of an interpreter to communicate with him, he recently pleaded guilty as charged.

    The prosecuting counsel, Jeremiah Aernan asked the court to apply the punishment prescribed by the law strictly so as to deter others from getting involved in drug trafficking.

    The convicts also pleaded for mercy urging the court to consider their young age and the fact that they are first offenders.

    Justice Aikawa in his ruling noted that drug trafficking particularly cocaine trafficking is an international crime that has smeared the reputation of the country and must be seriously dealt with. He therefore sentenced both convicts to five years imprisonment each.

    NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd.), commended the youths that arrested Adebowale urging that we must not sit and fold our hands while drug traffickers are making our society unsafe and insecure.

    He called on members of the public to report suspected drug cases to law enforcement agents for prompt action.

  • NDLEA destroys 30,992kgs of cannabis in Osun

    NDLEA destroys 30,992kgs of cannabis in Osun

    …As cartels invade forest reserves

    Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have destroyed two thousand three hundred and seventeen bags of cannabis weighing 30,992kgs.

    Sixty seven bags were also transferred to Osun State Command of the NDLEA as exhibits for further investigation.

    The cannabis will also serve as evidence against eleven suspected farmers arrested during operation inside cannabis plantation.

    The exhibits with an estimated street value of three hundred and nine million naira (N309, 000,000) were found in twenty Seven camps used as storage facilities located within a farmland at Orita-Ijebu forest reserve, Ikoyi area of Ikire in Ayedade LGA of Osun State.

    The Agency noted that drug cartels have invaded government forest reserves for the cultivation of cannabis.

    According to the Chairman and Chief Executive, Col Muhammad Abdallah (retd) concerted efforts is needed to stop cannabis cultivation while farmers should be encouraged to cultivate food and economic crops.

    In his words, “Unless the current trend of cannabis cultivation is addressed, the country is on the verge of devastating food insecurity. It is worrisome that the cartels are using government forest reserves in the cultivation of cannabis.

    Stakeholders must strategise on how to increase food production and prevent criminal organisations from diverting arable farmland for cannabis cultivation.

    A situation where food and cash crops is paving way for cannabis plant portends danger and deserves urgent attention”.

    The raid operation codenamed ‘Operation Herb Spring’ was in response to an intelligence received by the Agency on the activities of cannabis cultivators in the forest.

    Subsequently, the Chairman directed the Special Enforcement Team led by Mr Sunday Zirangey to coordinate the operation. The suspects arrested in connection with the cannabis cultivation are Kofi Mensah, Godwin Monday, Albert Williams Aniama, Enudi Liberty Onyeka and Peter Nelson.

    Others are Harrison Ewoka Francis, Ossai Nelson, Sulaiman Niyi, Dominic Tobechukwu, Mutiu Kolawole and Chucks Oghenekwu.

    Abdallah described the operation as a sweet victory for the NDLEA because the farmers had done all the work by harvesting and processing the cannabis awaiting evacuation from the farms. “It was a perfect timing for the Agency and a painful loss to the drug barons.

    They had prepared the cannabis in bags waiting to shipment when we raided. The Agency will continue to launch similar devastating attacks on drug trafficking cartels until they are completely defeated”.

    He recommended a review of laws relating to forest reserves, critical appraisal of the functions of forest guards as well as effective monitoring of the forests.

    He said all suspects will be arraigned soon.