By Tola Gbadamosi
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137 persons alleged to have been involved in drug related offences in the state have been arrested by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ondo state command.

Among the figures, 127 were said to be male suspects while 10 were arrested for cultivating cannabis (India hemp).

Disclosing this to The Hope in an exclusive interview the Ondo State NDLEA commander, Mr Haruna Dogara said that some of the suspects have already been charged to court, while some are still undergoing investigations in Alagbaka, Akure, the Ondo state capital.

The NDLEA boss, who expressed sadness at the high rate of cannabis cultivation, growing, and dealing with illicit drugs in the state said that it requires a collaborative effort to fight against the trend .

He explained that NDLEA authority has been working within its powers to arrest people who are in the habit of planting, smoking, selling and dealing with all  kinds of drugs that are injurious to human health and consumption.

He warned that the agency will not relent in its effort in assuring that the state is free from all dangerous drugs.

According to him, Ondo state has been ranked as one of the states that have the highest cultivation of cannabis, saying it is very unfortunate that the state has become a fertile land for growing cannabis.

His words:”Between May to October we have been able to arrest 137 suspects most of whom were male and female, also we equally destroyed 200 hectares of cannabis sativa (Indian Hemp).

“Despite all this effort , the people have refused to change on planting, growing and doing drug business. We have been carrying out campaign against illicit drugs in school, motor parks and host communities.

“We will continue to do our best while calling on the relevant security agencies, government at all levels to support the agency in their quest to reduce rate of cultivation of cannabis to the lowest minimum in the state.

The NDLEA commander who vowed that his men will continue to go after some sponsors of  the dealers of cannabis in the state said that unless the sponsors are arrested, and brought to book, the effort of the agency in fighting the menace will be unrealistic.

The commander called on parents to watch over their children and prevent them from taking hard drugs that are capable of destroying their future and destiny.

He commended his men for the success they have recorded between May and October, 2018.

Dogara revealed that some dealers of squashes had been apprehended, and charged to court as result of which one was sentenced to two years imprisonment and others still on trial.