From Suleiman Idris, Lagos
The marine unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it foiled an attempt by a West African drug syndicate to employ the services of fishermen in smuggling 1,020.5kg of compressed dried weeds suspected to be cannabis.
It said it marine officers attached to the Apapa Port Command, Lagos intercepted the drug on Nigerian waters during patrol.
Five suspected fishermen, comprising Beninoise, Ghanaian and a Nigerian have been arrested in connection with the illegal importation of the drug from Ghana.
The NDLEA said it is the highest single seizure of cannabis made by the Marine Unit since its establishment as the drug has a street value of ten million naira.
Five of them, Joseph Akpe, Gabriel Fokito, Zutah Edward, Ameriato Tafe and Celestine Azarante were conveying the drugs in a motorized boat at the time of arrest.
Apapa Port Commander of NDLEA, Mr. Nse Jack said that the compressed cannabis originated from Ghana.
Leader of the suspects Joseph Akpe said “we were given 100,000 naira part payment for logistics. We would have collected a balance of 250,000 naira if not for the arrest”.
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