By OKOSUN DENNIS
An arrested suspect who sells Indian hemp has confessed to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme Area Command that she made over N5,000 daily from selling cannabis mixed with gin popularly called “Monkey Tail” in Badagry.
NDLEA had on Tuesday arrested three mothers at Badagry, Lagos for allegedly using their compounds as hideouts for the sale and smoking of cannabis.
The Head, Public Affairs, Ofoyeju Mitchell said in a statement in Lagos that the activities of the mothers constituted a nuisance to members of the community.
He disclosed that the arrests were made in response to reports on the illicit drug sales by the suspected mothers.
According to the NDLEA Seme Commander, Mr. Udotong Essien, gave the names of the suspects as Adesola Kolawole, 30yrs and caught with 2.750kg of cannabis fermented in alcohol, Sade Oyewale, 44yrs caught with 300 grammes of cannabis and Kadijat Mojeet, 36yrs who was found with 1.1kg of dried weed of cannabis.
He explained that their criminal act is believed to be the cause of social vices in the society following complaints received by the command especially that some youths that patronises them have constituted security risk to members of the public.
Essien reiterated, “We received complaints that these three women were illegally selling and allowing the use of cannabis in their premises. Investigation confirmed the allegation of sales and smoking of cannabis.
National Daily gathered that based on complaints, they were apprehended and drugs recovered from them as exhibits.
He further disclosed that the command was on the trail of other suspects who are believed to be working with the arrested mothers.
National Daily learnt that one of the suspects, Adesola, is married, has two children but sells dried weeds of cannabis mixed with alcohol commonly called ‘Monkey tail’ as a source of livelihood.
Confessing to her crime, Adesola, who hails from Ekiti State said she has been selling the illicit substance for over a year.
“I sell a small glass for N50 and most customers who are young people and adult men prefer to drink alcohol mixed with hemp to get more intoxicated (high). It is my source of livelihood as I earned an average of N5,000 daily with which I sustain my family” Adesola reiterated.
Another suspect, Sade, pointed out that it was not her intention to use her house as smoking joint for hemp but became difficult for her to control as some smoker would want to smoke it immediately they purchase it.
The Osun born woman with four children, who was caught with 300 grammes of cannabis, reiterated that she started selling hemp about a year and half ago.
For Kadijat, who also have four children was equally found with 1.1kg of cannabis. She confessed that “I used the proceeds of cannabis sales in taking care of myself and my four children. This is my first arrest since I started selling hemp in less than a year ago”.
While warning peddlers and users of hemp, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd) expressed disappointment over the action of the mothers who ought to be role models to their children and members of the society.
“Parents according to the theme of the World Drug Day this year are to listen to their children and help them grow healthy and safe. Unfortunately, we have a situation where mothers are the ones selling cannabis and allowing young people to smoke in their premises.
He assured that they will be prosecuted to deter others from getting involved in drug trafficking.