Edo NDLEA destroys cannabis farm ....Arrests 24 suspects , cartel abandons tramadol, codeine

Edo NDLEA destroys cannabis farm

....Arrests 42 suspects , cartel abandons tramadol, codeine

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has intensified its war against illicit drug trafficking and cultivation in June 2026, recording the interception of 4,905.36 kg of illicit drugs, the destruction of three cannabis farms and the apprehension of 42 suspected drug traffickers, the conviction of ten drug traffickers, while a suspected drug cartel abandoned codeine cough syrups, tramadol for fear of being apprehended.

Commander of Narcotics Mitchell Ofoyeju, PhD, disclosed the Command’s scorecard for June in Benin City, stating that a total of forty-two (42) suspected drug traffickers comprising twenty-four (24) males and eighteen (18) females were arrested during intelligence-led operations across the state. Commander Mitchell described the month of June as significant because the Agency intensified drug control efforts with several activities commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

A total of 4,905.36kg of assorted drugs was seized, including 4,169.02 kg of cannabis destroyed in plantations and 736.34 kg of drugs intercepted within the State. They include Cannabis sativa, methamphetamine, and various psychotropic substances such as Swinol, diazepam, and Rohypnol. Additionally, 54.2 litres of codeine syrups were also recovered.

In a major blow to illicit cannabis cultivation, the Command destroyed three cannabis plantations. On June 17, 2026, officers raided Ikao Forest in Owan East Local Government Area, where two farms measuring 0.69763 hectares were identified and destroyed. One suspect, Patrick Imoukhede, a 45-year-old male, was arrested at the scene, and 169 kg of processed cannabis was recovered.

Similarly, acting on intelligence, operatives raided Ebora Camp in Ilushi, Esan South LGA, where a cannabis plantation measuring 0.969978 hectares was discovered and destroyed. The farm had an estimated yield of 2,424.945 kg. During a separate operation in the same camp, 45-year-old Austine Anyamone was apprehended with 395 kg of skunk cannabis. In total, the three farms measured 1.667608 hectares with an estimated yield of 4,169.02 kg.

In another operation, drug cartels abandoned illicit pharmaceuticals in Uromi and fled to avoid arrest. A search operation there led to the recovery of 540 bottles of codeine cough syrup, 11,100 capsules of tramadol (4.44 kg), 2,500 tablets of Swinol, and 100 ampules of Pentazocine injection.

On the prosecution front, the Command secured ten (10) convictions during the month, with three (3) new cases charged in court. About seventy-nine (79) cases are currently pending before the Federal High Court in Benin City.

The Command also prioritised drug demand reduction, counselling nineteen (19) clients, fifteen (15) males and four (4) females – who were released to their families. Seven (7) clients are currently undergoing rehabilitation. Additionally, six (6) sensitisation programmes were conducted to educate the public on the dangers of drug abuse.

Despite these achievements, the Command noted emerging threats, including cases of kidnapping and cultism in Oredo, Etsako West, and Akoko-Edo Local Government Areas, which are often linked to drug-related activities.

“We urge members of the public to continue supporting our efforts by providing timely information on drug-related activities. The Command will continue to work hard in dismantling drug trafficking cartels in the state,” Dr. Ofoyeju stated.