Police intercept truckload of Indian hemp in Rivers

<p>The Rivers State Police Command has intercepted 300 parcels of cannabis sativa, popularly known as Indian hemp, during an operation in Port Harcourt.</p>, <p>The Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Mr Nwonyi Emeka, disclosed this to newsmen at a news conference in Port Harcourt on Friday.</p>, <p>He said police operatives attached to the command’s C4i Intelligent Unit, intercepted a bus loaded with the banned product after receiving credible information from an informant.</p>, <p>“The 300 parcels of Indian hemp were intercepted on Oct. 28 after operatives, working with credible information, trailed a white coloured Volkswagen bus with registration number MUS 910 YA.</p>, <p>“Upon sighting the approaching police operatives, the driver took to his heels but was arrested after a hot chase.</p>, <p>“Shortly after the suspect was apprehended, operatives searched the vehicle and recovered 300 parcels whose content was suspected to be Indian hemp,” he said.</p>, <p>Emeka said the suspect is currently being interrogated to reveal the source and destination of the illegal product.</p>, <p>In a related development, the police boss said that police personnel, acting on information, burst a notorious gang of armed robbers responsible for many robberies in the state.</p>, <p>“On Nov. 1 at about 4 p.m., operatives of the command neutralised a notorious armed robber after they received credible intelligence about the suspicious and clandestine movement of his gang.</p>, <p>“The gang leader and his gang checked into a hotel located at Chokocho along Etche Road in Etche Local Government Area of the State.</p>, <p>“Operatives of Octopus Strike Force (upon sighting the gang) immediately swung into action and engaged them in a gun duel and eventually gunned down the gang leader,” he said.</p>, <p>He said the deceased suspect, who had been at large and on the command’s watchlist, had earlier attacked a victim around Rumuodara community inside the city.</p>, <p>“The suspect shot the victim in his left leg which later resulted in the