The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers and recovered more than 4.9 tonnes of illicit drugs during a series of intelligence-led operations carried out across Edo State in June.
According to the Commander of Narcotics in the state, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the suspects include 24 men and 18 women. He said the operations also led to the destruction of three cannabis plantations as part of the agency’s intensified campaign against drug trafficking.
The seizures included large quantities of cannabis, methamphetamine, psychotropic drugs such as Swinol, diazepam and Rohypnol, as well as over 54 litres of codeine syrup. Most of the cannabis was destroyed on farms, while additional drugs were intercepted during separate operations across the state.
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During one raid in Owan East Local Government Area, operatives destroyed two cannabis farms and arrested a 45-year-old suspect found at the scene, recovering processed cannabis.
In another operation at Ebora Camp in Esan South Local Government Area, officers uncovered and destroyed another cannabis plantation with an estimated yield running into thousands of kilograms. A separate raid in the same area also resulted in the arrest of another suspect allegedly linked to cannabis trafficking.
The agency further recovered large quantities of tramadol, codeine syrup, Swinol tablets and Pentazocine injections after suspected drug traffickers abandoned the items and fled during an operation in Uromi.
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA secured 10 convictions during the month and filed three new cases in court, while dozens of other cases remain pending before the Federal High Court in Benin City.
The command also continued its rehabilitation and public awareness efforts by counselling drug users, supporting ongoing rehabilitation programmes and organising sensitisation campaigns on the dangers of drug abuse.
Ofoyeju warned that drug abuse remains a major factor contributing to crimes such as kidnapping and cultism in parts of Edo State. He urged residents to support the agency by providing credible information that would help dismantle drug trafficking networks operating across the state.
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