Monday Joseph, a 27-year-old suspect arrested for cultivating Indian hemp in Ondo, says he prefers drug trafficking to armed robbery. 

Mr Joseph, nabbed with 69 bags of Indian hemp, said, “This is what I do for a living. I don’t have another job,” stated the 27-year-old suspect. “I rather do this (trafficking Indian hemp) than be jobless. It’s either you work or you thief to make ends meet. So, as a man you have to engage in a job to survive. It is why I’m into this business.” 

Mr Joseph said his family raised him to cultivate Indian hemp. 

“I was born and brought up by my parents into the business. I have been spending over 27 years now in it and It’s the common business we do in our community in Delta State. We plant and harvest this inside the forest reserve. I went to school but this is where I make my ends meet. I make millions of money from this business. 

He was apprehended alongside Sunday Akinfisoye by the operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics of the police command in Ondo. 

The suspect added, “It’s from the business that I make money to feed my family. I’m a father of two children. We have our customers already and they always come and buy it and travel back to their base.” 

Police commissioner Abiodun Asabi said Messrs Joseph and Akinfisoye were nabbed following a tip-off by the residents as the suspects headed along Ijare road towards Ikota Junction in a vehicle.

“While conducting a search, 69 bags of weed suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from the suspects and they would be charged to court at the end of investigation,” Mr Asabi said.