Lagos police, taskforce arrest 50 suspects with 48 bags of Indian hemp

Joy Anyim

A joint operation between the Lagos State Police Command and the operatives of the Lagos State Task Force have led to the arrest of 50 suspects in possession of 48 bags of substances perceived to be Indian hemp in the Akala area of Mushin in Lagos.

In the operation which was carried out over the weekend, a notorious smuggler and seller of the illicit substance, Sunday Adesoye (a.k.a Malboro) was also arrested.

The suspects, it was gathered were also in possession of Novalyn with Codeine Cough Syrup and ‘Tuxil-C cough & cold with Codeine.

The enforcement operations as directed by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Mr. Imohimi Edgal was tagged ‘Eradication of Criminal Hideouts’. The was also led by ACP Soji Akinbayo and had all the Divisional Police Officers under Area ‘D’ command Mushin on ground.

Speaking on the outcome of the operation, the Chairman, Lagos State Task Force SP Olayinka Egbeyemi disclosed that 44 males and 6 females suspected notorious criminals were arrested during the raid.

SP Egbeyemi emphasised that his Agency and other Police Officers are battle ready to maintain ‘Zero Tolerance’ on criminal activities across the State as initiated and directed by the Commissioner of Police.

He commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for giving priority to security challenges in the State by supporting the Nigerian Police including Lagos State Task Force with the needed working materials.

The Chairman who enjoined criminals across the State to turn a new leaf or be chased-away however confirmed that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police had directed that all arrested 50 suspects be charged to court for prosecutions.

In his confessional statement, Adesoye said that Akala served as a ‘Central Market’ for indian hemp and illicit drugs to all miscreants and hoodlums across the State.

He said, “I sold an average of N500.000 worth of Indian hemp with other illicit drugs per day to my customers who come from Obalende, Oshodi, Pen-cinema, Apapa, Lagos Island, Fadeyi amongst others.”

One of the female suspects, Mrs Basirat Jimoh’ a.k.a ‘Iya Suzzy’ who hails from Ibadan in Oyo State confessed to have been trading in indian hemp and other illicit drugs at Akala area for over 17 years.

She however claimed to be only buying/selling india hemp and not into criminal activities.

All arrested suspects were charged before Magistrate Lateef Owolabi of the Lagos State Mobile Court on three-count charge of ‘unlawful possession of weed suspected to be Indian hemp, trading in Indian hemp and conduct likely to cause breach of peace and disorderly manner.

The Prosecuting Counsel Barrister Oluremi Kuku disclosed that after all the suspects had pleaded ‘Not Guilty’ before the court, the Magistrate granted them a bail conditions and the case was adjourned to 15th of November, 2017 for further hearing.

The Lagos State Office of Public Defenders however provided free legal services for all the 50 accused through Barrister Bashiru Abdulsalam who appeared on their behalf during the trial of the case.