The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency on Saturday said it had arrested three farmers in Kulani, Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State, for allegedly cultivating 160 kilogrammes of Indian hemp.

The NDLEA Commandant in the state, Mr. Aliyu Adole, told journalists in Gombe.

Adole said many farmers were involved in the cultivation of hemp in the state and the agency had been on their trail.

He said the agency had been monitoring the suspects before their arrest, adding, “this morning, my boys went to the bush and brought them with the exhibits.’’

The commandant said the agency would continue to search villages in the state to apprehend those involved in the cultivation of cannabis.

He called on elders and leaders of communities in the state to prevail on their people to stop planting hemp and to report anyone involved in its cultivation to the agency.

One of the suspects told the News Agency of Nigeria that he cultivated the plant because of poverty.

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