Edo: NDLEA Busts Cannabis Farm, Arrests 42, Seizes Over 4.9 Tonnes Of Cannabis

Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting

EDO, BENIN CITY – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has recorded major successes in its campaign against illicit drug trafficking and cultivation during June 2026, intercepting 4,905.36kg of illegal drugs, destroying three cannabis farms, arresting 42 suspected drug traffickers, and securing the conviction of 10 offenders.

The Command also disclosed that suspected members of a drug cartel abandoned consignments of codeine cough syrup and tramadol while fleeing to evade arrest during enforcement operations.

Speaking in Benin City, the Commander of Narcotics, Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the 42 suspects arrested comprised 24 males and 18 females.

He noted that the arrests were made through intelligence-driven operations carried out across various parts of Edo State.

According to Ofoyeju, June was a landmark month for the Command as it intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse through sustained enforcement activities, alongside a series of programmes marking 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 , where two farms measuring 0.69763 hectares were identified and destroyed. One suspect, Patrick Imoukhede, 45, 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 LG, 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.

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“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 10 convictions during the month, with three new cases charged in court. About 79 cases are currently pending before the Federal High Court in Benin City.

“The Command also prioritised drug demand reduction, counselling 19 clients, 15 males and four females who were released to their families. Seven clients are currently undergoing rehabilitation. Additionally, six 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 said.