BENIN CITY – The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed 66,078.57 kilogrammes of skunk cannabis and arrested 54 suspected traffickers during its September operations.
Commander of Narcotics, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in Benin City, noting that the arrests comprised 43 males and 11 females.
He said the command also discovered and destroyed six illicit cannabis plantations covering 26.43 hectares across Ovia South-West, Owan West, Esan West and Igueben local government areas.
According to him, a total of 1,506.57 kilogrammes of narcotics were seized, including 1,502.26 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa and 4.27 kilogrammes of psychotropic substances such as tramadol, nitrazepam, Swinol, Danabol, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.
Ofoyeju said a major interception was made along Wareke–Auchi Road where a truck conveying 82 bags of cannabis concealed in charcoal sacks weighing 1,025 kilogrammes was seized.
Two suspects, Kabiru Abdullahi, 35, and Anas Safiyanu, 20, both from Zamfara State, were arrested.
At Wire Road, Benin City, one Etiosa Bazuaye, 43, was also arrested with 98 pinches of crack cocaine cleverly hidden in a wooden stool.
The commander noted that one conviction was secured in September, four new cases charged to court and 118 others ongoing at the Federal High Court, Benin City
He added that 32 individuals were counselled and rehabilitated, including 10 who received full treatment, while the command intensified public enlightenment campaigns across the state
