Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have raided a snake-guarded shrine used as a store for illicit drugs in the Igor community, Benin, the Edo State Capital.
The raid operation, according to the agency, occurred on June 18. Operatives upon arrival at the shrine were astounded by a big black snake guarding the shrine.
The agency said it killed the snack and subsequently had access to the shrine. The operatives observed a “specially constructed large hole storage in a wall covered with wallpapers and fetish objects.”
The NDLEA said, “Different quantities of illicit substances such as methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743 kilograms, were pulled out from the deep hole dug in the wall of the shrine building.”
The operatives also arrested two ladies: Sonia Ezumezu and Risikatu Tijani found at the shrine.
On the same day, in Abuja, operatives at the agency intercepted a white Nissan Frontier pick up vehicle with amber lights and fake registration number of a security agency at Kiyi village in Kuje area of the FCT.
“The vehicle was loaded with 454 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa, weighing 340.8kg procured at Uzeba, Edo state.
“A 76-year-old grandfather, Mr. Francis Omofa, linked to the consignment was arrested. He claimed to have been in the illicit drug business for 10 years,” the Agency said.
By the following day in Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted a package concealed with 8.2 kilograms of methamphetamine at a motor park in Mazamaza, Ojo area of the state.
The addictive illicit substance, also called ice or crystal meth, was packed in imported Dunkin’ turtle love chocolate wraps and then concealed in the casing of three loudspeakers.
A suspect, Michael Odiomume, 39, who was sending the consignment to Owerri, Imo state was arrested at the park.
Meanwhile, the Agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), a campaign set up to sensitise schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities among others, focused on Anambra, Osun, Oyo, Benue, Abuja and Enugu States this past week.
The Agency sensitised both students and teachers of St. Peters College, Nibo, Anambra; students and staff of Apostolic Grammar School, Ilesa, Osun state; students and teachers of Immanuel Baptist High School, Oyo town, Oyo state.
Others include students and staff of Federal Government Science and Technical College, Otukpa, Benue state, as well as WADA advocacy lecture for Muslim faithful during their juma’at prayer in Umuahia, Abia state.
NDLEA Bursts Snake-Guarded Shrine, Recovers Over 8kg Of Illicit Drugs In Edo is first published on The Whistler Newspaper