The Kogi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested three suspects in connection to owning seven hectares of hemp farms.
The State NDLEA Commander, Umar Yahuza, who made this known on Wednesday in Lokoja, revealed that the seven hectares of hemp farms have been destroyed.
Yahuza explained that three hectares were discovered in Ikeja Forest, while the other four were in Maikeke Village of the Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of the state.
The Kogi Sate NDLEA commander stated that during the operation, three suspects were arrested at the Ikeja Forest while the owner of the four hectares of hemp farm escaped.
Yahuza further disclosed that the agency’s breakthrough was recorded within a week, during its operation of zero tolerance to illicit drugs in the Kogi East axis.
He said: “The discoveries followed intelligence reports received from individuals. Our officers and men swooped on the two farms on Aug. 9 and Aug. 15 respectively.
“We are on the trail of the suspect who escaped to ensure he’s arrested and prosecuted. Their activities in the communities are destroying the lives of citizens.
“NDLEA is leaving nothing to chance in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the state.
“We are planning to search every nook and cranny of Kogi to ensure that the traffickers and comments of hard drugs are arrested and brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.”
He appealed to the general public to support the agency in its fight against the consumption and trafficking of illegal drugs that are harmful to many youths.