NDLEA DESTROYS 10 HECTARES OF HEMP FARMS

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ondo State has
destroyed 10 hectares of Indian hemp (Cannabis) in parts of the state.

The farms are located in Ifon and Ala forests in Ose and Akure North
local government areas.

The State Commander of NDLEA, Mr Shedow Gaura, told newsmen that four
persons were arrested at Ifon with 90 kg of hemp.

He said owners of the farms attacked NDLEA Operatives with guns,
charms and other dangerous weapons at Ogbese forest in Akure North
Local Government Area two weeks ago.

Gaura said the Operatives retreated to map out fresh strategies to
arrest the farmers and destroy their crops.

He said operatives walked 10 hours in the forest to locate the farms.

"We discovered that the cultivators of the hemp did not seek the
permission of either the government or the land owners before planting
their drugs on the land," he said.

He said the Agency was committed to stop the production of the weed,
especially at Ogbese village, which had become notorious for the crop.

"Ogbese is a terrible place when it comes to the production of hard
drugs.

"The producers of the weed are always armed with all sorts of
dangerous weapons and charms. It is a volatile area," he said.

Gaura said the agency had raided major markets for the produce, namely
Old Garrage, Odo-Ikoyi and Imagun, all in Akure, twice within the month.

He said the agency was determined to reduce the consumption of hard
drugs to protect the future of the country.