The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has reported the arrest of 37 suspects and the seizure of 345.421 kilograms of assorted narcotics during a series of operations conducted in June.
State Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed this on Monday while presenting a summary of the agency’s activities for the month.
He revealed that the arrested individuals comprised 25 men and 12 women, all apprehended for offences related to drug trafficking and substance abuse within the state.
“The arrests are part of an intensified campaign to dismantle drug networks and reduce substance abuse within Edo communities,” Ofoyeju stated.
Breaking down the seizures, Ofoyeju said the initial batch of recovered drugs included 310.485 kg of cannabis, 0.3415 kg of psychotropic substances, and 0.3175 kg of methamphetamine. He added that another batch consisted of 33.226 kg of cannabis sativa, 0.67 kg of psychotropic substances, 0.373 kg of methamphetamine, five litres of codeine syrup, and 0.004 kg of cocaine—all of which were reportedly abandoned.
He also announced the destruction of illegal cannabis farms covering 7.27 hectares in the Okhuse and Ugbada Uzebba forests of Owan West Local Government Area. The estimated yield from these farms was put at approximately 18,184.7128 kg.
“This significant bust and destruction of farms is a clear indication of our commitment to crippling the drug trade from its roots,” he emphasized.
On judicial efforts, Ofoyeju said the command filed 11 new court cases in June and secured five convictions. Additionally, 107 drug-related cases are currently pending at the Federal High Court in Benin.
As part of the agency’s rehabilitation and education efforts, he reported that the Drug Demand Reduction Unit provided counselling to 32 individuals—18 males and 14 females—and conducted awareness campaigns across various institutions in the state.
“Our efforts are not just about enforcement. Community engagement and rehabilitation remain crucial in addressing drug abuse holistically,” he concluded.
Ofoyeju reaffirmed the agency’s ongoing commitment to disrupting the drug trade and sustaining surveillance operations in collaboration with local communities.
