The alleged drug dealer-KinglseyOnuhachi was arrested with the illegal substance at 8 AM at the Owens Grove checkpoint on the Buchanan highway while he was onboard a vehicle heading to Buchanan City.
The head of the DEA in the County, Major Joseph Tageddine said the 27 year old man is in police custody and will be charged and send to court under section 14-103 of the Drug and Control Substance Act following preliminary investigation by the DEA.
The arrest of the Nigerian is the first in 2016 and the fourth by the DEA over the last couple of weeks under its ‘Operation Drag Net’ to ensure Grand Bassa County is raid of drugs. Major Tageddine told FrontPage Africa via cell phone that after the arrest was made that DEA officers deployed at various checkpoints in the county are carrying out vigorous search with massive deployment around the Port City of Buchanan.
Tageddine expressed concern that Buchanan being a commercial city with numerous concessions and artisanal gold mining locations in Grand Bassa, the city is becoming a marketplace or hub for several drug peddlers and users.
“The population in Monrovia is more than what we have here in Buchanan but when we look at the influx of people, lot of business activities booming in Buchanan, so people take advantage of the city especially those who work at the mining sites (gold mines),” he said.
However, the Grand Bassa County DEA boss said they are working to improve the drag net operation this 2016 to ensure they curb the inflow of drugs into the county. He said though they have had a small, efficient and effective DEA team in the county, in recent months there has been an increment in manpower but he also underscored the need for community collaboration.
“We are working along with the communities; citizens should help the DEA and the LNP in combating drugs in this county,” he suggested. “Drug is taking over this country; we are getting into a serious drug cartel,” Major Tageddine warned.
Tageddine asserted that there are several individuals in the county that are benefiting from the drug cartel while other families and communities are at serious risk drug due to the illegal trade.
The Grand Bassa’s DEA Operation Drag Net kicked off in June 2015 and has significantly tackled drug dealings and usage with over 14 arrests made and the most high profile being a Ghanaian, Edward Gyesi, who was arrested with 7 bags of marijuana in November 2015.
The DEA says several of those arrested are serving time at the Buchanan Central prison while others are awaiting trial.
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