Customs seize Indian hemp smuggled in FUNAAB bus

The Ogun state command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) seized 211 parcels of cannabis, also known as Indian hemp, from a Toyota Coaster bus belonging to the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) on Saturday, August 12, 2017.

The bus driver, Abolade Bolaji, was arrested by customs officers while he was travelling along the Imeko Afon area of the Idiroko border.

The concealed wraps of Indian hemp were discovered in the bus with number plate, FUNAAB 50 B-100 FG.

The seizure and arrest was disclosed by the Controller of the command, Sani Madugu, on Tuesday, August 15.

According to him, "The suspect, Abolade Bolaji, was caught in the Imeko border town while conveying the illegal drug into the country.

"He concealed parcels of Indian hemp (cannabis) under the bags of rice he was conveying with the vehicle to Abeokuta, when nemesis caught up with him.

"Our operatives on patrol stopped the vehicle and searched it, only to discover the illicit drug."

The Ogun state Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bala Fagge, was present to take custody of the drugs weighing 295 kilorammes.

In a statement released by FUNAAB's Head of the Public Relations Directorate, Mrs. Emi Alawode, she said the institution was currently conduction investigations to determine what happened.

She said, "The attention of the university has been drawn to an unfortunate incident that was said to have occurred on Saturday, August 12, 2017, in which one of its drivers, using the university’s official vehicle in his possession, was said to have been apprehended along Olorunda, Ogun State, by law enforcement agents, for allegedly being in possession of substances suspected to have been smuggled.

“Already, the university has put the necessary machinery in place to carry out proper investigations to ascertain what actually transpired on the said date on one hand, while law enforcement agents on the other hand would be allowed and supported to perform their statutory duties in the overall interest of all citizens."