NDLEA NABS 277 SUSPECTED DRUG TRAFFICKERS

THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kaduna State has
arrested 277 suspected drug traffickers with about 3,820.5kg of both
Indian hemp and cocaine. The arrests were made between January and
November, 2008.

However, 52 of those arrested have already been convicted while 17
others were rehabilitated by the Agency.

The state Commander of the NDLEA, Mallam Mohammed Malami made this
known while addressing newsmen in Zaria weekend.

"This is a special arrest because of the nature and circumstances in
which the arrest was made. This is the largest arrest that has been
made this year and from just four suspects", he said.

Malami also said that four of the suspects were found with 110 bags
of Indian hemp weighing about 1,429 kg, pointing out that the group
was a well organised syndicate. The group had a driver, courier
escort, and a conductor conveying the prohibited exhibit from Edo
State.

"The driver of the Peugeot J5 bus with registration number XC 334
Bauchi, who gave his name as Isa Abubakar claimed that he was
conveying some materials from Edo State promised to bribe our men
with N35,000 but when we discovered that it was Indian hemp, they
promised to add additional N25,000 to the initial agreement", Malami
further said.

But one of the suspects, Mansur Yusuf, who claimed to be a mobile
policeman with the Kogi State police command, denied any involvement
in the illicit business.

"I am innocent of the alleged crime. I am a policeman serving with
the Kogi state police command.

"They only helped me from Okene and I am going to Jigawa
state.

"Since I was not on duty, I did not bother to inspect the vehicle I
was boarding. In fact, it would be unfair to them because they have
helped me," Yusuf said.