Police Arrest Two in Ondo, Recover 51 Bags of Indian Hemp

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two suspected drug traffickers and recovered 51 bags of dried leaves believed to be Indian hemp.

The suspects, identified as 27-year-old Usman Bashir and 17-year-old Usman Muhammad, both from Kaduna State, were apprehended along Ikare Junction in Owo on Thursday.

In a statement issued in Akure, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, said the arrests were made by operatives of the Tactical Intelligence Response Squad (TIRS) as part of a renewed nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking directed by the Inspector-General of Police.

“The suspects were caught while transporting 51 bags of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, each weighing approximately 9 kilograms,” Ayanlade stated.

He added that the exhibits had been secured as evidence, and investigations were ongoing to trace the broader network involved in the illegal drug trade.

The Commissioner of Police praised the efforts of the officers and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to rooting out criminal elements across the state.

“The command will continue intelligence-led operations targeting drug peddlers and criminal financiers linked to cult-related violence and other crimes,” Ayanlade said, promising sustained efforts to dismantle organised criminal activities threatening public safety.