Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
have apprehended a rice farmer for allegedly dealing in cannabis. The suspect, Usani
Ibiang, 45 years old was nabbed at Ugep in Cross Rivers State with dried weeds
that tested positive for cannabis weighing 74.5kgs. The Agency is working hard
to eradicate illicit drugs from our society and the arrest of Usani Ibiang is a
timely warning for other drug dealers that their days are numbered.
NDLEA Cross Rivers State commander, Mrs. Anthonia Edeh while
confirming the arrest stated that some money was also recovered from the
suspect during the raid. “Based on information on the criminal sales of drug by
one Usani Ibiang, we raided his premises where he was apprehended with dried
weeds that tested positive for cannabis with a total weight of 74.5kgs. In
addition, the sum of eight hundred and eighty thousand naira believed to be
proceeds of drug trafficking was also recovered from him. The money had been
tendered as exhibits and we have applied for an interim forfeiture at the
Federal High Court” she stated.
The suspect in his statement which was taken under caution
said that he was wrongly advised by friends. He also explained how he became a
drug smuggler from his rice milling job. In his words, “I work in a rice mill.
My problem started when the rice mill shutdown and I was unemployed. Life was
so difficult that I could not provide for my wife and three children. It was in
the process of searching for other means of livelihood that I was wrongly
advised by friends to smuggle drugs. This is my first time of being arrested
and I regret my action”. Usani hails from Ugep Yakurr in Cross River State.
Acting Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Mrs Roli
Bode-George said that unemployment is not an excuse for drug trafficking. “The
suspect will be charged for unlawful possession and dealing in cannabis. Unemploymernt
is not an excuse for drug trafficking. If convicted, he could be sentenced to
life imprisonment in line with the NDLEA Act. The recovered money will also be
forfeited. This way drug trafficking will become unattractive” she stated.
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