The anti robbery crack team of the Area command, Nsukka, working on a tip off, burst a popular Indian hemp bunk at Obollo- Afor, Udenu local government area, Enugu state, where all manner of cannabis were being retailed, smoked and supplied to different bunks in the area with its marketing agents.
During the raid which lasted for two hours, eight young men engaged in marketing and smoking of the killer weeds were arrested while the proprietor of the bunk absconded. The team swooped in on the bunk described as the most notorious joint for sales, distribution and smoking of the killer weeds, and arrested the suspects while they were smoking the seeds. Other suspects were reportedly arrested at Obollo-Afor while selling the substance to numerous customers in the market.
Crime Alert gathered that the proprietor of the illicit business simply identified as Okwudili Mbah a.ka Ukporo, fled when he was informed that his marketing agents have being apprehended. Investigations reveled that after their arrest, the fleeing suspect allegedly sent emissaries through one of his sisters to negotiate for the possible release of the suspects in police custody.
Unfortunately for the negotiators, the Area Commander, Haladu Hamson, who suspected their intentions, rebuffed all their entreaties with a threat to clamp them into detention if they failed to disappear from the station.
The suspects who spoke to Crime Alert admitted smoking, purchase as take away and marketing of the substance and pleaded with the fierce- looking Area command anti robbery crack squad for leniency, with a pledge that they will never indulge in the illegal business if they are left off the hook.
The suspects
Emmanuel Ugwu (45), a father of four children and a motor cyclist said he hails from Iheakpu and resides at Obollo-Afor. Accordingt o him “I was arrested at the bunk when I came to take some dose of the Indian hemp to high up a little. I am a new smoker . I just started six months ago. I appeal to the police to forgive me becauser my wife just put to bed barely four days ago.”
Oluchi Iloaburochi (18), a JSS 3 school drop out who hails from Mbu in Isi-Uzo local government area said that he was arrested at Orie Igbo-Eze market where he was looking after his senior brother’s business, explaining that his brother appealed to him to help him sell Indian hemp in the market when police accosted him with the substance. “ I started smoking hemp barely two months ago just as I joined my senior brother Shedrack, at Orie Igbo-Eze market. I have been grinding cow pea before my brother asked me to assist him in the Indian hemp business. It was hardship that took me to that kind of business and I promise not to do it again. I can write an undertaking for the police to believe me.”
Nwaidu Chineme (24), carrying a bag of the cannabis while speaking to Crime Alert: “I hail from Aku in Igbo-Etiti local government area. I smoke Indian hemp but it was one Mbah Onyeka Okwudili (a.k.a Ukporo) that convinced me to start selling the substance for him at the market place. I have been going to the bunk to smoke for quite some time now. One sales agent of Ukporo had a problem. He is presently being interrogated over a case at Enugu.
Ukporo approached me to assist him in the sale of the killer weeds. I was an okada rider at Obollo-Afor and had problem with my bike, then Ukporo borrowed me N2, 000.00 to repair my bike, after which he asked me to join him mostly now that his agent is in Enugu. We normally mix local gin (kai kai) and sell same to unsuspecting victims in the name of local gin. I was only one week and three days old in the business. I learnt welding work but could not open a shop because of poverty.”
Eya Ernest (22) who hails from Rest House in Obollo-Afor said he was a barber at Obollo-Afor and was going to his shop along the busy road when he cited Chineme and called on him. “Police men then came and apprehended him. I did nothing to be treated like an agent of Indian hemp. I do not smoke it neither do I sell it.”
Obgonna Peter (18) hails from Iheakpu- Obollo in Udenu local government area, a mason at Obollo-Afor said that he was an SS 3 student at community secondary school, Obollo-Afor but could not further his studies due to poverty as his biological parents were all late. He said that he was on his way to the bunk when policemenb intercepted him pointing out that he was still learning the smoking process as he started smoking it just one year ago but does not smoke it often as a learner.
Ogbu Chukwudi (18) who hails from Iheakpu -Obollo and graduated from community secondary school, Obollo-Afor in 2014, learnt generator repairs and services. He pointed out that it was not too long he started smoking Indian hemp having been introduced to it by his Kogi state friend. “I am still very active in my generator mechanic business but devil lured me into Indian hemp.”
Ogbonna Anselem( (40) who hails from Umuachi, Enugu- Ezike in Igbo-Eze North local government area is a business tycoon at Obollo-Afor who trades on bags of beans, cow peas among others. He said that he was arrested in error, pointing out that he drove in company of Ukporo to the Area command and on arrival, police rushed him and arrested him on mistaken identity as Ukporo. According to him , “when the drama of the true identity was going on, the man Ukporo sped off and never showed up again.
I was never arrested in the bunk nor was smoking hemp. The only thing was that Ukporo asked me to accompany him to the Area command where his boys were being held captive for selling and smoking cannabis. I walked in here myself. I actually did nothing to deserve being handcuffed like a criminal.”
Ojobo Innocent (33) said that he was arrested at Obollo-Afor market palm wine joint where he sells the substance to customers. I am a sales boy to Ukporo. I have been a driver till my vehicle had problem and Ukporo approached me to join him sell hemp in the market as his boy had problem and presently being questioned by SARS in Enugu. I make between N10, 000 to N11, 000 daily and Ukporo pays me N700. 00 after each sale daily. The business thrives more on weekends when people relax for drinks and fun.
Contacted for comment, a competent senior police officer who pleaded anonymity confirmed the arrest of the eight suspects, saying that investigations were ongoing and that the matter will be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.
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