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.