Emeka Ibemere
Following the official legalization of
cannabis Sativa, popularly and locally known as Indian hemp in Nigeria, there
are clear indications that Nigerians in illegal drug running business have
change their ‘wares’ from cocaine to Indian hemp, which they ship to Europe and
America.
Cannabis
sativa, or ‘Indian hemp’, especially of Nigerian type is now highly patronised
in Europe and America, NDLEA operative revealed to Daily Newswatch.
According to the investigation, Indian hemp
price has risen since America and Columbia legalized the use of hemp. It was
disclosed that Indian hemp is in low supply in America and Europe and that it
was highly needed.
These however have attracted more alleged
Nigerian barons to recruit more youths and invest in drug business, especially
on Cannabis.
Reports say price of cannabis in Colorado has
doubled since the state became the first in the US to legalise the drug for
recreational use three weeks ago.
Before now, Indian hemp was a local weeds
abused by some Nigerians in various quarters and its price was as low as N20
per wrap. But with its international price increase in the recent times,
Nigerian drug peddlers now prefer to smuggle the contraband items to Europe,
where they make much money.
The reports also stated that one estimate
customers buying cannabis in licensed shops are paying an average $400 an ounce
(wrap) compared to the $200 an ounce (wrap) previously charged when the drug
was only available to people with medical complaints.
The price has been driven up by the 25 per
cent recreational sales tax imposed by the state, and also because there has
not been enough supply to keep up with demand.
Last month, BBC news said that several of the
first shops to open on New Year's Day had to close early because they ran out
as long queues formed. A University of Colorado study had put the average
expected retail price of cannabis at $185 an ounce, but some shops have been
charging over $500 for the purest quality strains.
According to The National Cannabis Industry
Association recreational cannabis businesses in Colorado made "well over
$5 million" in sales in the first five days of its legalisation.
A week after legalisation Denver City Council
has voted to ask the US federal government to allow banks to take on cannabis
businesses as customers.
BBC also stated that banks are currently
banned from working with cannabis businesses, including offering loans or
credit cards, and the shops operate entirely on cash transactions, which one
councillor described as "absurd and ridiculous."
“Following legalisation the Washington
DC-based National Cannabis Industry Association estimated the average price at
$400”, BBC news stated.
It would be recalled that Colorado legalised
the drug for recreational use in November, 2012, in a ballot that coincided
with the US presidential election and put it in the vanguard of the push for
nationwide legalisation. Some Americans who reacted over the legalisation saw
it as a usual thing just like the way people go to bar to buy drinks
It was further reported that Colorado was
expected to earn $US67 million in tax revenue this year from legal sales of the
drug. It was gathered that 348 marijuana business licences state-wide have been
approved but that the local government areas in America can block approval of
the shops if they choose.
However, in spite of the fact that the drug
is now legal to buy; the consumption in open and public places is outlawed.
Marijuana for health purposes is legal and
regulated in 19 US states.
Uruguay becomes first nation to legalise
marijuana trade.
In Europe, Uruguayan government thinks
legalising the sale of marijuana will deal with drug barons and their
traffickers
Uruguay has become the first country in the
world to make it legal to grow, sell and consume marijuana.
The law allowed registered Uruguayans over 18
years to buy up to 40g of the drug a month is not expected to come into force
before April, 2014. Meanwhile, the legal sells of the drug has rekindled
Nigerians who deals on the illicit drug to now shop the drug here before moving
them to Europe and America. Instead of tackling the drug cartels in Europe and
America, the law is empowering the barons in Africa to continue to be dealing in
the illicit business.
Asides, the law have also pushed the
cannabis-farming communities in Nigeria to continue to farm more cannabis
especially now that there are serious markets for the drugs in America and
Europe.
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA,
says hundreds of more young Nigerians have been engaged in trafficking in
drugs.
Nigerian borders are used daily by
traffickers to smuggle Indian hemp into neighbouring countries.
An NDLEA source told Daily Newswatch that the
agency wasn’t happy about the legalization of cannabis or Indian hemp by
America and Uruguay. Our source stated further that the law would put Nigeria
under pressure fighting the crime both locally and internationally. The source
further hinted that despite the international criticism, the law attracted,
American government still passed the law. He disclosed that the International
Narcotics Control Board (INCB) warned that the law was in complete flouting
order to the provisions of the international drug treaties to which Uruguay and
America are party to.
The INCB is an independent body of experts
established by the United Nations to monitor countries' compliance with
international drug treaties.
Cannabis, marijuana or Indian hemp can be
inhale or smoked. It is substance alleged to be dangerous to health.
In Nigeria it’s known in various quarters
with various names. It’s known as weed, pot, ganja, grass, shunk, gbana and
Igbo. Report says that its origin could be traced to China in the 6000 BC,
where its seeds were used for food and medicine, among many others.
The drug, which has a scientific name,
Cannabis sativa, has been used throughout history in many cultures to change
mood, perception and consciousness and ‘to get high’. There is superstitious
belief that Indian hemp could inspires with its
effects on increased creativity, mystical powers, heightening the
capacity to feel sense and share.
Experts say it is the most popular of the
recreational drugs.
Before now, Indian hemp is the less
trafficked drug by the suspected drug dealers. However, with turn of event
following the need for the drug in America and other European countries in the
recent times, the drug is fast taking over cocaine and heroin. Respectable
professionals, University graduates and undergraduates, traders, importers are
now indulge in trafficking hemp
Mitchell Ofoyeju decried the attitude of
students involving in drug trafficking. The NDLEA spokesman blamed peer
pressure and greed including get-rich -quick-syndrome as reasons why they deal
on drugs.
Ahmadu Giade, the Chairman of the National
Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had, during the discovery of a cartel that
specializes in cannabis smuggling through the conveyor belt at the Murtala
Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, warned that agency would go all
hug in prosecuting anybody found dealing in illicit drug.
In the last one month, no fewer than 50 drugs
suspected have been arrested throughout the country. The suspects were all
taking cannabis away from the Nigerian shores to Europe.
Last
week, a 32 year old cell phone dealer at Computer Village, Lagos was nabbed
with 22.490kg of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis.
The suspect, Okafor Obinna Michael was
arrested while attempting to board an Emirate flight to China at the Murtala
Mohammed International Airport (MMIA).
The drug was disguised as food ingredients
labelled African Food Source.
NDLEA Airport commander, Mr Hamza Umar said
that the seized cannabis was concealed in foodstuff and spices. “A business man
by name Okafor Obinna Michael was found with 22.490kg of cannabis hidden inside
foodstuff and cooking spices. The cannabis packed with crayfish, pepper and
food ingredients was detected by officers during search operations,” Hamza
stated.
But the suspect in his statement said that he
was tempted to smuggle drugs in search of basic travelling allowance.
“My
intention was to seek greener pastures in China. After buying my ticket, I had
no more money on me. It was in the process of trying to get some money that
made me to smuggle drugs. I was given the bag at the airport by a man who
promised to pay me $1,000. He gave me $500 and I was to collect another $500,
when I deliver the bag in China,” Okafor told investigators. He claimed to come
from Aguata Local Government Area in Anambra State.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu
Giade called on members of the public not to travel out of the country without
having enough money to take care of their basic needs.
“It is
very risky to embark on a journey outside your country without having basic
travel allowance. Such persons are exposed to temptations and vulnerable to
crime in other to survive. People should look inwards to discover the economic
opportunities that abound in our country,” Giade said.
Mitchell Ofoyeju, the spokesman for the
agency stated that the suspect would soon be charged to court.
Also apprehended at the Murtala Mohammed
International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, for importing 1.745 kilogrammes of dried
weeds that tested positive for cannabis popularly called Indian hemp was
Udiomeh Kufre Ita.
The suspect was found in possession of the
drug during the inward screening of passengers on an Africa World Airlines
flight from Accra, Ghana at the weekend.
NDLEA Lagos Airport commander, Mr Hamza Umar
said that the drug was detected during routine screening of passengers.
“An undergraduate student was found in
possession of two parcels of cannabis weighing 1.745kg during routine search of
passengers”, Hamza said. “The drug was hidden inside his bag containing personal
effects. He was immediately arrested and the case is under investigation”.
The suspect who reportedly gained admission
into the faculty of Management Sciences at the Regent University is currently
assisting narcotic investigators assigned to the case.
In his confessional statement, Udiomeh Kufre
Ita said that he used his tuition fees in purchasing the drug found on him.
According to the suspect; “I spent my school fees on cell phone, smoking hemp
and attending night clubs. I bought a cell phone for N107, 000 and spent my
school fees recklessly. I thought I could make enough profit from the sale of
cannabis to offset the deficit in my tuition”, he cried. “I bought each parcel
of hemp for 220 Ghana cedi. I did not know what came over me and I am afraid to
go to my parents. My father is a retiree”.
Kufre Ita hails from Akwa-Ibom State but grew
up in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Ahmadu Giade described the action of the
student as shameful and sad. “This is very shameful and sad. It shows that the
suspect is morally bankrupt. Students must understand that drug use is inimical
to the pursuit of their academic goals,” Giade stated. The NDLEA boss called on members of the
public to avoid drug use and support the fight against drugs.
“Abstinence from drug use is the best
solution but those who have problem with drug use should please seek
professional help before it is too late. Let us support the anti-drug campaign
for a peaceful and fulfilled life,” Giade added.
Mitchell Ofoyeju told Daily Newswatch that
the suspect would be placed on counselling and may likely be charged to court
for unlawful importation of cannabis.
NDLEA spokesman said the Lagos State Command
of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in 2013 arrested 490 suspected drug
traffickers comprising 439 males and 51 females. According to him, 79 offenders
were convicted for drug related crimes while 128 cases are pending in court. It
was gathered that a total of 9,163.963kg of narcotic drugs mainly cannabis also
known as marijuana were seized from drug traffickers within the State.
Lagos State Commander, Mr Sule Aliyu who gave
the breakdown of the seized drugs said that no fewer than 320 drug addicts were
successfully counselled during the period under review. He said. “The seized drugs
include cannabis 9,047.675kg, psychotropic substances 78.15kg, methamphetamine
33.734kg, heroin 2.703kg and cocaine 1.701kg”.
According to Sule, the command is confronted
with the challenge of cannabis use and trafficking among youths and illegal methamphetamine
production laboratories.
“We are making steady progress in tackling
the abuse of cannabis among youths in the State as well as tracing
methamphetamine production factories in Lagos. The large cannabis seizure made
in 2013 and the illegal drug factories uncovered in residential areas within
Lagos require active participation of stakeholders in drug control programmes,”
the Commander stated.
Last year, the Command claimed that the Lagos
Command carried out community mobilisation and enlightenment efforts in 2013.
These, he said include the establishment of
drug free clubs in schools, anti-drug awareness campaigns at motor parks,
churches and mosques.
Speaking on the Command’s plan for 2014, Sule
said that he hopes to surpass and build on past records. He also added that the
proposed ban on public smoking would help in advancing the fight against
cannabis abuse in the State. But with the legalisation of cannabis in Europe
and America, NDLEA is faced with bigger challenges more so when they are operating
with lean funds.
Meanwhile, officials of the agency have intercepted one hundred
and seven (107) Citi Bank credit cards. The Automated Teller Machine cards were
detected inside a luggage during the outward screening of Turkish Airline
passengers to Istanbul, Turkey at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport
(MMIA), Lagos.
The agency said a 36 year-old man with dual identity has
been apprehended in connection with the discovered cards.
Hamza Umar said that
the suspect had two international passports bearing his photographs but with
different names.
“He had a Nigerian passport with the name Funsho Oladimeji
Babatunde and a Turkish passport with the name Kosar Kursat both bearing his
photographs. The cards found in his luggage are 68 Citi Inters witch Master
cards and 39 Citi Inters witch Visa cards”, Hamza stated.
The suspect who is a
native of Iwo town in Kwara State lives in Surulere Lagos. The Ordinary
National Diploma (OND) graduate at the Kwara Polytechnic told investigators
that he was taking the cards to a friend in Turkey.
“My friend in Turkey
called me that I should help in sending the cards to him in Istanbul, Turkey.
When I collected the cards in Lagos, I kept them in my bag but during search,
the officer saw the cards and took me for interrogation. I am an OND graduate
of Economic at the Kwara Polytechnic,” he stated.
Ahmadu Giade, Chairman/Chief
Executive of the NDLEA, had directed that the suspect be transferred to the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
According to Giade,
“preliminary investigation suggests that the suspect had unlawful possession of
107 credit cards. The financial instruments are believed to be used for
fraudulent purposes since he is not an authorised agent,” Giade stated.
The NDLEA boss promised to
prevent any act capable of bringing the image of the country to disrepute.
