The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State says it arrested 68 suspected drug traffickers and seized more than 7,500kg of illicit substances during operations across the state in August.
The state commander of the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this on Thursday in Benin City while presenting the command’s August operational report to journalists.
Ofoyeju said the suspects comprised 34 males and 34 females, noting that the figures showed that both men and women were involved in drug trafficking and substance-related offences.
According to him, the command seized a total of 7,531.51kg of illicit drugs during the month, with cannabis accounting for 7,524.83kg.
Other substances seized included 5.3311kg of psychotropic substances, 0.0668kg of methamphetamine and 34.8 litres of codeine syrup.
He explained that 1,098.177kg of cannabis was recovered during enforcement operations, while an estimated 6,433.33kg was destroyed from cannabis plantations.
The commander also disclosed that four cannabis farms covering 2.57 hectares were discovered and destroyed in forest areas of Orhionmwon and Owan West Local Government Areas.
He said two of the farms were located in Igbanke Forest, Orhionmwon, while another was discovered in Ukaro Forest, Owan West. The fourth farm was also found in Ewe Forest.
Ofoyeju said the destruction of the plantations was part of the command’s efforts to prevent locally cultivated cannabis from reaching the illicit drug market.
He added that three new cases were filed during the month, while 87 cases remained pending before the court. No conviction was recorded because the Federal High Court was on vacation.
Beyond arrests and seizures, the NDLEA commander said the command also intensified its prevention, counselling and rehabilitation efforts.
He disclosed that 23 people received counselling during the month, while 12 others were enrolled in vocational training programmes in areas including tailoring, perfume making and liquid soap production.
The command also held five drug-abuse sensitisation programmes, which attracted more than 2,150 participants.
Ofoyeju said the agency would continue working with community leaders, the media and other security agencies to disrupt drug trafficking networks and reduce substance abuse across Edo State.
He stressed that combining enforcement with prevention, counselling and rehabilitation was essential to tackling the social and health challenges associated with drug abuse.
