Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Edo State have intercepted 125 bags of dried substances suspected to be skunk cannabis, weighing a total of 1,378 kilograms.
The State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, confirming that one suspect was arrested during the operation.
According to him, NDLEA officers carried out a raid on a warehouse in Igbanke community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, where the illicit substances were discovered and seized.
A 37-year-old suspect, Roland Owie, who is a native of the community, was arrested in connection with the operation.
Speaking on the development, Ofoyeju described the seizure as a major breakthrough in efforts to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse in the state.
“This successful operation is a testament to our relentless pursuit of drug cartels and our strategic focus on supply suppression.
“The seizure of 125 bags of dry cannabis weighing 1,378 kilograms in a single operation represents a significant blow to the distribution network of these harmful substances.
“The importance of intercepting such a large quantity is highlighted by the fact that it prevents drugs from reaching our streets, schools, and communities, thereby protecting countless young people from the devastating scourge of addiction.”
He emphasised that disrupting the supply chain remains a key strategy in tackling the drug trade.
“While we continue our demand reduction efforts through advocacy and rehabilitation, cutting off the source is paramount. Every kilogram seized disrupts the criminal economy, weakens trafficking syndicates, and makes our society safer.
“This arrest and seizure send a clear message to all drug barons that Edo State is not a haven for illicit activities. We have zero tolerance, and our intelligence and operational capabilities are robust.”
The commander commended the efforts of his officers and called on members of the public to support the agency with credible information to aid its operations.
He added that the raid, which was based on actionable intelligence, reflects the agency’s sustained commitment to curbing drug-related crimes.
In a related development, the Edo Command recently reported significant progress in its first-quarter operations. Presenting the scorecard in Benin City, Ofoyeju revealed that 18,380 kilograms of illicit substances were recovered from 104 suspected traffickers, comprising 71 males and 33 females.
He explained that the figure includes 5,825 kilograms seized and 12,556 kilograms of cannabis destroyed across 10 farms spanning over 5.0226 hectares.
