In a sustained clampdown on illicit drug activities across Edo State, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended 37 individuals and seized a total of 345.421 kilogrammes of various narcotics and psychotropic substances during operations carried out in the month of June.
State Commander of the NDLEA in Edo, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, made this known on Monday during a media briefing on the agency’s recent achievements in the war against drug trafficking and substance abuse. He explained that the arrests comprised 25 male and 12 female suspects, all picked up during intelligence-led operations designed to dismantle drug networks operating within the state.
According to Ofoyeju, the seizures were made in several batches, with the first major haul including 310.485kg of cannabis sativa, 0.3415kg of psychotropic substances, and 0.3175kg of methamphetamine. Additional seizures involved 33.226kg of cannabis, 0.67kg of other psychotropics, 0.373kg of methamphetamine, five litres of codeine syrup, and 0.004kg of cocaine—most of which were abandoned at various locations by fleeing suspects.
In what the commander described as a major offensive against cannabis cultivation, the command also discovered and destroyed illegal cannabis farms measuring approximately 7.27 hectares. These farms, located deep within the Okhuse and Ugbada Uzebba forests in Owan West Local Government Area, were projected to yield over 18,000 kilogrammes of the banned substance.
As part of its legal actions, the command filed 11 fresh cases in court and secured five convictions within the month under review. Ofoyeju further disclosed that a total of 107 drug-related cases are currently ongoing at the Federal High Court in Benin City, indicating the depth of the agency’s judicial engagements in the state.
On the rehabilitation front, the commander said the Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the agency has remained active, offering counselling and intervention services to 32 individuals—18 males and 14 females—who were either referred or voluntarily submitted themselves for help. He added that the unit also intensified its sensitisation programmes, reaching various communities, schools, and organisations to raise awareness on the dangers of drug abuse.
Mr. Ofoyeju reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to curbing the menace of drug trafficking and abuse, stressing that the NDLEA in Edo would continue to collaborate with communities and stakeholders to rid the state of illegal drug activities and protect future generations from the harmful consequences of substance misuse.
