The Ondo State government on Monday handed over 10 bags of seized cannabis, popularly known as “Indian hemp,” to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Ondo State Command.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Leye Akinola, at the handover in Akure, said the 10 bags of cannabis were seized from planters within the Akure forest reserve.

Mr Akinola stated that the handover was part of efforts to enhance collaboration in fighting against the destruction of trees in forest reserves for cannabis cultivation and combating drug cultivation in the state.

According to him, the seized cannabis is worth N200,000 per bag.

He said, “This is part of the synergy between the drug agency and the ministry to combat the alarming rate at which planters are destroying trees in forest reserves for cannabis cultivation. The state government is willing to work with any organisation to stop these illegal activities and protect the forests for the betterment of mankind as created by nature.’’

The commissioner, therefore, vowed that the state government would do everything within the law to protect the forests from destruction by encroachers.

Also, assistant state commander in charge of operations and training, NDLEA, Michael Apiri, appreciated the state government for acting in accordance with the law.

He noted that handing over the illicit items to the agency responsible for matters related to hard drugs showed that the state government valued the rule of law.

According to Mr Apiri, war against illicit drugs is a global menace requiring a holistic and technical approach to defeat because those involved are highly placed in society.

He said, “All hands must be on deck to fight against illicit drugs, because no agency or organisation could win the fight without having synergy with other bodies.’’

The NDLEA official noted that the agency was empowered by law to keep seized illicit drugs in custody for future investigations and destroy them publicly at the appropriate time. 

(NAN)