The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said it
is keeping tabs on more celebrities in Nollywood and
the music industry for drug trafficking, abuse and
links with drug cartels.
The agency said the move became necessary,
following its investigation into the activities of
controversial actress and singer, Tonto Dikeh, for
possible consumption of hard drugs.
Dikeh had on June 28, 2013, posted photographs of a
wrap of hemp and grains of the weed formed into the
letters, 'Happy birthday POKO.'
She also posted a photograph of herself with the
inscription, 'Mi smoke ganja mi smoke weed while
my haterz smoke ma gossip.'
In an interview with our correspondent on Friday, the
Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju,
saidthat Nollywood stars had been prosecuted for
drug-related offences.
He said, "We are beaming our searchlight on more
celebrities with regard to drug trafficking and abuse.
"The arrest and conviction of Nollywood stars,
Hassanat Akinwande, popularly known as Wunmi,
and Tochi Uche have clearly shown that some
members in the sector are vulnerable and
susceptible to manipulation by drug cartels.
"We have a responsibility to investigate and identify
anyone involved in drug trafficking and use. We are
deeply concerned, when such personalities are linked
with drugs because of their large number of fans."
Ofoyeju said the implication of having celebrities
dealing in hard drugs was that their fans might like
to act like their role models.
He added that the improper conduct of a celebrity
might have "ripple effects" on their followers.
"This will not be treated with kid gloves. It is
counterproductive to the country's drug abuse
prevention campaign. Any breach of the NDLEA Act
will not be condoned," he stated.
The NDLEA spokesman said sniffer dogs had been
instrumental to major drug seizures in the country.
"The heroin hidden inside woollen rug carpets
imported from Pakistan was detected by the sniffer
dogs. The dogs help to detect drugs that ordinarily
are difficult to uncover, using normal search
techniques," he said.
He further said the agency had not recorded any
drug seizure on private jets, adding, "We are taking
measures to ensure that drug trafficking cartels do
not use such jets."
NDLEA, which said it would investigate Dikeh, had
hinted that the actress and singer risked a minimum
of 15 years in jail for allegedly encouraging the
consumption of hemp.
She, however, denied using the weed, saying the
photos were 'photoshopped.'
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