The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency rekindled its war against the growing of cannabis in the South West as it destroyed over 50 hectares of cannabis plantation in Epele Forest Reserves, Ondo State.
The agency deployed 70 operatives from its commands in the South West and 50 labourers in an operation which lasted all night from Monday to the early hours of Tuesday.
The growers of the weed had gone deep into the forest to establish colonies of cannabis plantation, making it almost inaccessible to law enforcement agents.
Chairman of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, described cannabis cultivation as a threat to national security.
He also vowed to prosecute forest guards who turned a blind eye to criminal activities, as well as those conniving with cannabis cultivators.
Giade said, “The NDLEA will not hesitate to prosecute any forest guard who aids and abets cannabis cultivators. Cannabis constitutes a serious threat to security and the NDLEA is determined to eradicate narcotic drugs.
This is the second cannabis farm destruction within the past one month and this shall be a continuous exercise until cannabis cultivation is completely eradicated.
“The first one was 184 hectares while this one is 50 hectares. We are looking forward with optimism to a time when farmers will abandon cannabis for the cultivation of only food and cash crops.”
The NDLEA Director of Operations and Investigation, Mr. Olugbenga Mabo, was in charge of the operation and was assisted by the Ondo State commander.
Mabo said the cannabis farm destruction was a proactive strategy to cut off cannabis supply which affected the image of the country.
He said, “We achieve more when we destroy cannabis farms than waiting to intercept the drug after it had been harvested by the cultivators. When citizens get caught for trafficking cannabis outside the country, the image of Nigeria is affected.
“Let me commend the officers that participated in this assignment because, they worked in the rain all night long. They surmounted several obstacles to get the job done.
“Drug control is a hazardous job, but we are working hard to overcome our challenges such as inadequate funds.”
Our correspondent reported that the men of the agency walked for several hours in a lonely forest path to locate the farms, accessed through muddy and slippery roads.