A Lieutenant of the Nigerian Navy and a 51-year-old driver, Felix Dickson, have been arrested by operatives of the Safer Highway Patrol over alleged transportation of illicit drugs along the East-West Road in Rivers State.
The naval officer, who is attached to the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Ogun, and Dickson were reportedly intercepted while allegedly conveying five large “Ghana-Must-Go” bags containing 248 moulds of suspected cannabis sativa, popularly known as “Scottish Loud.”
Security expert, Zagazola Makama, who disclosed the development in a report, quoted military sources as saying that the suspects were apprehended while travelling from Lagos to Port Harcourt.
Dickson, a native of Owhe Community in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, was reportedly driving the vehicle when the patrol team intercepted it.
According to a Situation Report cited by Zagazola, preliminary interrogation indicated that Dickson allegedly told investigators that the naval officer contracted him to drive the vehicle and deliver the consignment to its intended destination in Port Harcourt.
The report stated that the suspects and the recovered exhibits had been taken into custody, while investigation continued to establish the source of the suspected illicit drugs and identify other persons who may be linked to the alleged trafficking network.
“The two suspects and the recovered exhibits have been taken into custody, while further investigation is ongoing to establish the source of the consignment and identify other persons who may be connected to the alleged drug trafficking network,” the report stated.
The arrest, according to the report, underscores ongoing efforts by security agencies to disrupt the movement of illicit substances and other criminal activities along major highways across the country.