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 consumption of hard drugs..
Tonto 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 a chat with Punch in Lagos, Head of Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said 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.
“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 warned.
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