NDLEA SEIZES 4.9 TONNES OF ILLICIT DRUGS IN EDO CRACKDOWN
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers and seized 4,905.36 kilograms of illicit drugs during a series of intelligence-led operations carried out across Edo State in June.
The agency also destroyed three cannabis plantations as part of its intensified crackdown on drug trafficking and cultivation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commander of Narcotics in Edo State, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the suspects comprised 24 men and 18 women arrested during coordinated operations across the state.
He described June as a significant month for the command, noting that its anti-drug campaign was strengthened through enforcement activities and public awareness programmes to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
According to Ofoyeju, the agency recovered a total of 4,905.36 kilograms of illicit substances, including 4,169.02 kilograms of cannabis destroyed on farms and 736.34 kilograms of assorted drugs intercepted during operations.
The seized substances included cannabis, methamphetamine, Swinol, diazepam, Rohypnol and 54.2 litres of codeine syrup.
He disclosed that operatives destroyed two cannabis farms measuring 0.69763 hectares in Ikao Forest, Owan East Local Government Area, on June 17. One suspect, identified as 45-year-old Patrick Imoukhede, was arrested at the scene, while 169 kilograms of processed cannabis were recovered.
In a separate intelligence-led raid at Ebora Camp in Ilushi, Esan South Local Government Area, officers uncovered and destroyed another cannabis plantation spanning 0.969978 hectares with an estimated yield of 2,424.945 kilograms.
During another operation in the same area, 45-year-old Austine Anyamone was arrested with 395 kilograms of skunk cannabis. Altogether, the three destroyed plantations covered 1.667608 hectares with an estimated yield of 4,169.02 kilograms.
Ofoyeju also revealed that suspected drug traffickers abandoned a cache of illicit pharmaceuticals in Uromi while fleeing from security operatives. A subsequent search led to the recovery of 540 bottles of codeine cough syrup, 11,100 tramadol capsules, 2,500 Swinol tablets and 100 ampoules of Pentazocine injection.
On prosecution efforts, he said the command secured 10 convictions during the month and filed three fresh cases in court, while 79 other cases remain pending before the Federal High Court in Benin City.
The commander added that the agency counselled 19 individuals battling drug abuse and reunited them with their families, while seven others are currently undergoing rehabilitation. Six public sensitisation campaigns were also conducted during the period to educate residents on the dangers of substance abuse.
Ofoyeju noted that crimes such as kidnapping and cult-related violence recorded in Oredo, Etsako West and Akoko-Edo local government areas were often linked to drug abuse.
He appealed to residents to continue supporting the agency with credible information, assuring that the command would sustain efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating in the state.
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