The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ekiti has arrested one Shayo Oguntegbe, a suspected drug baron, popularly called Oritano.
The acting Commander of the NDLEA in Ekiti, Mr. Nnanna Nworisa made the disclosure on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said that officers of the command had been on the trail of the suspect for 21 days in three states — Ondo, Osun and Ekiti where he had several cannabis farms.
Nworisa said the suspect was arrested on Aug. 31 in one of his large cannabis farm in Ikere-Ekiti after `several strategic surveillance and consistent watch’ by officers of the command.
“Oguntegbe is a notorious drug baron, who has been declared wanted by the NDLEA command in Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states.
“He is an indigene of Ondo and bought several farms in Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states from leaders of the community.
“We arrested him when he came to harvest and supervise his cannabis farms located in a thick and hidden forest in Ikere-Ekiti,” he said.
The commander also said that the suspect had been on the watch list of the headquarters of the agency and Ondo command for several years.
He said the suspect is currently in the custody of the command and would be prosecuted as soon the Federal High Court resumes.
NAN reports that the Ekiti command of NDLEA arrested 32 suspects (30 males and two females) in August and seized 279.90kg worth of drugs. (NAN)