said it is keeping tabs on more celebrities in
Nollywood and the music industry for drug
trafficking, abuse as well as 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 use of hard drugs.
Dikeh had on June 28th, 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 reporters on Friday, the
Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju,
said that 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
pictures were 'photoshopped.'
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