Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant strides in combating drug trafficking in the state.
In July, the command arrested 46 suspects and seized a total of 39,983 kg of assorted illicit substances.
State Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed that operations were driven by intelligence and targeted notorious drug flashpoints, including a dark spot on Ihama Road in Benin City.
“The July result reflects the ongoing commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations in the state,” Ofoyeju said.
The command apprehended 46 drug suspects, comprising 38 males and 8 females. A total of seven cannabis farms measuring 15.85 hectares were destroyed in Oke Forest in Uhunmwonde and Ewere Forest in Uzebba, Owan West local government areas.
Ofoyeju gave the breakdown of seized drugs as 39,977.644 kg of cannabis, 5.5753 kg of psychotropic substances, 0.26 g of methamphetamine, 0.0598 g of cocaine, and 5.8 litres of codeine syrup.
The command has been engaging communities through drug demand reduction initiatives.
“A total of 32 individuals with drug use problems received brief intervention counselling, while 11 others are currently undergoing rehabilitation in the command facility,” Ofoyeju said.
Reaffirming the agency’s resolve, Ofoyeju vowed to prosecute all suspects and dismantle drug cartels threatening public safety in Edo. “We will not relent until drug trafficking networks are destroyed and our communities are free from their grip,” he said.
