NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms, Seizes Nearly Two Tonnes of Drugs in Edo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo Command, says it has destroyed cannabis farms and seized nearly two tonnes of illicit drugs in coordinated operations across forest communities in the state.

The State Commander, Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Benin on the command’s recent activities.

Ofoyeju said operatives, acting on intelligence, uncovered three cannabis farms in Etiosa Forest, Owan West Local Government Area, measuring 0.145, 0.203 and 0.158 hectares.

He said a total of 1,956.92kg of cannabis was intercepted during the operations, while 0.508 hectares of cultivated farmland with an estimated yield of 1,266.85kg were destroyed.

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According to him, 23kg of processed cannabis was also recovered at the location.

The commander said two suspects were arrested at the site, including a 68-year-old woman, Evelyn Ogenewu, and a 43-year-old man, Friday Iruoje.

He added that eight kilogrammes of cannabis were recovered from Iruoje, while 15kg was seized from Ogenewu.

Ofoyeju described the operation as a demonstration of the agency’s resolve to eradicate illegal cannabis cultivation and trafficking in the state.

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In a related raid, the command seized 563.5kg of skunk cannabis at a camp in Olumoye Forest, Ovia North East Local Government Area. Five suspects were arrested during the operation, he said.

The commander also disclosed that in another operation at Otuo Forest in Owan East Local Government Area, officers discovered eight bags and 60 compressed blocks of skunk cannabis concealed in a cocoa plantation, weighing 103.57kg. He noted that no arrests were made at that site, but investigations were ongoing.

Ofoyeju urged residents to remain vigilant and support the agency’s enforcement efforts. He assured that all suspects would be prosecuted in line with the provisions of the NDLEA Act.