NDLEA destroys five cannabis farms, arrests three suspects in Edo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Edo State Command, has arrested three suspected drug traffickers and destroyed five cannabis farms.

This was disclosed on Monday in a statement by the state commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, and made available to journalists in Benin, the state capital.

Ofoyeju cautioned that the cannabis farms were gradually taking over the forests and called on Local Government chairmen in the state to collaborate with the NDLEA to stem the illicit cultivation of cannabis.

He said the command has intensified its crackdown on drug-related activities, with successful operations leading to the destruction of the cannabis farms and the arrest of the suspects, adding that the command intercepted significant quantities of psychotropic substances, including tramadol, codeine cough syrups and diazepam, among others.

“We have arrested three suspected drug traffickers and destroyed five cannabis farms. The cannabis farms are gradually taking over our forests, and I am calling on the local government chairmen to collaborate with the NDLEA to stem the illicit cultivation of cannabis.

“We cannot continue this way because what began as a little garden is turning into a large plantation. These farms were destroyed in the past two weeks. Chairmen of local government councils are closer to the people, and we need their active collaboration,” Mitchell stated.

The statement read further, “A total of five cannabis farms were discovered and destroyed. Two farms measuring 0.928744 hectares were located at Monday Camp, Usen Forest, Ovia South West Local Government Area; another two farms measuring 1.004278 hectares were found at Igwe-Oke Forest, Owan East Local Government Area, while one farm measuring 0.336646 hectares was detected at Ogboha Forest, Owan West Local Government Area of the State. The plantations measured 2.269668 hectares with an estimated yield of 5,674.17kg. Meanwhile, during the raid at Ogboha Forest in Owan West LGA, a 39-year-old male suspect, Sunday Segun, was apprehended at the scene.

“Similarly, at Bob-Izua Park, New Road, Okada town, one Hassan Mohammed was apprehended with 7.1kg of cannabis. Also seized from him were three deadly knives and charms. The fight against psychotropic substances has also seen significant progress.”

Also, the command’s anti-narcotics operatives, during a patrol operation in Auchi, intercepted a vehicle containing a large quantity of assorted illicit drugs.

“The haul included 590 bottles of codeine syrup, 50,000 capsules of Tramadol 100 mg, 100 tablets of Tramadol 225 mg, and 25,000 tablets of Diazepam. A 25-year-old Jamie Zubaru was apprehended, and he is assisting narcotic officers with further investigation,” he added.

Ofoyeju said that the state’s NDLEA Command remained committed to its mandate to eliminate the illicit drug trade, enhance public safety and promote community health.