Pubdate: Sat, 21 Mar 2009
Source: Punch (Nigeria)
Copyright: 2009 The Punch
Contact:  http://www.punchng.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4933
Author: Ademola Oni
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?256
(cannabis marijuana marihuana ganga weed hemp  outside Canada)

INDIAN HEMP: NDLEA ARRESTS 114-YEAR-OLD MAN

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a  114-year-old 
man, Chief Sulaimon Adebayo, in Ogun  State, in connection with the 
discovery of 6.5 tonnes  of weeds suspected to be marijuana, 
popularly called  Indian Hemp, behind his house.

Parading the suspect in Abeokuta on Friday, the State  Commandant of 
the NDLEA, Mrs. Chinyere Obijuru, said  the anti-drug agency, acting 
on a tip off, swooped on  the house of the centenarian, who claimed 
to be the  Baale (community leader) of Oja Sango, Odeda 
Local  Government of the state.

Obijuru added that the agency's investigation revealed  that the 
massive seizure, coming eight days after 3.5  tonnes of illicit drugs 
were burnt in the state, was  imported from Benin Republic for onward 
distribution to  the Nigerian market.

The commander said, "This four tonnes of weeds were  found at the 
back of Adebayo's house in Oja Sango,  where he claimed to be the 
Baale, though he said he did  not know anything about the weeds. He 
said someone  whose 911 truck had a problem dumped the bags behind  his house.

"Imagine what could have happened if this drug had not  been 
intercepted. Imagine the lives that would have  been destroyed by 
this illicit drug."

Obijuru added that despite the vastness of the state  land mass, the 
command would continue to comb the nooks  and crannies of the state, 
which she maintained  remained the Gateway to illicit drug business 
in the  South West.

Adebayo, who claimed to have participated in the  inauguration of the 
Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta, as a  little boy in 1895, denied 
knowledge of the over 100  bags of weeds.

"Someone came and dropped them at the back of my house  in the night. 
The first time he came, I saw him but I  thought what he dropped were 
bags of rice and I did not  see him until the police came. I don't 
know anything  about it," he said.

The centenarian, who said he had two daughters in  Lagos, admitted to 
have played the fool for taking some  products from someone he did 
not know previously.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom