Ogona Anita
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Cross River State has arrested a 52-year-old schoolteacher, Onun Ikoli, and his wife, Itam Onun, after 360 bags of marijuana weighing 4.706 tonnes were discovered in their residence in Yakurr Local Government Area.
The State Commander of the NDLEA, John Anteyi, disclosed the development to journalists on Wednesday in Calabar.
Anteyi said the couple claimed the drugs were owned by a tenant who fled the scene during the operation.
He assured all that investigators are working to track down all individuals connected to the illegal consignment.
“As I speak, the investigation is still ongoing. The NDLEA boss, Brigadier General Marwa (retd.), is determined to bring this illicit trade to an end. Our ears are still on the ground to arrest more suspects,” Anteyi said.
According to Anteyi, the couple insisted they had no knowledge of the drug activities, saying the tenant only paid them N50,000 for a single room.
Responding to questions from journalists, Ikoli maintained that he was innocent, stating that “his hands were clean.”
His wife also distanced herself from the crime.
“I was arrested and brought here because I am the landlady. My husband and I collected N50,000 for a single room from a tenant—unknown to us that he was a drug dealer,” she said.
The commander applauded the state governor, Bassey Otu, for supporting the agency’s operations and called on residents to assist with intelligence that could help stem drug trafficking in the state.
Recall that in October, the agency dismantled two major drug cartels behind six cocaine consignments destined for the United Kingdom.
During the operations, six suspects, including the alleged kingpin, Alhaji Hammed Ode, were arrested.
