Authorities in Cross River State have arrested a local teacher, Onun Ikoli, 52, and his wife, Itam Onun, following the discovery of 360 bags of marijuana weighing 4.706 tonnes at their property.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said the drugs were linked to a tenant who reportedly absconded during the operation. State NDLEA Commander John Anteyi confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend all individuals involved.
“The NDLEA is committed to ending this illicit trade. Our monitoring continues, and we are working to apprehend more suspects,” Anteyi said, adding that the agency has strong support from Governor Bassey Otu in its crackdown on illegal drugs.
The couple denied involvement in the drug operation, claiming they had no knowledge of their tenant’s activities. “I was arrested because I am the landlady. My husband and I collected N50,000 for a single room from a tenant, unaware he was dealing drugs,” Mrs. Itam Onun explained.
Authorities have urged residents to cooperate with the agency by providing tips and information that could help curb drug trafficking in the state.
The NDLEA continues to investigate the case, emphasizing that community collaboration is crucial in dismantling illicit drug networks operating in Cross River State.