The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has arrested three suspected drug traffickers and destroyed five cannabis plantations across the state.
The state commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this on Monday in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Ofoyeju warned that cannabis cultivation was gradually spreading across the state’s forests and urged local government chairmen to work closely with the NDLEA to curb the illicit practice.
He explained that the command had stepped up its operations against drug-related activities, resulting in the destruction of the plantations and arrest of the suspects. He added that operatives also recovered substantial quantities of psychotropic substances, including tramadol, codeine-based cough syrups and diazepam.
“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 further read, “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.”
The command also said its anti-narcotics operatives intercepted a vehicle carrying a large consignment of assorted illicit drugs during a patrol in Auchi.
“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 reaffirmed the Edo State Command’s commitment to tackling the illicit drug trade, safeguarding public safety and improving the health and wellbeing of communities across the state.
