Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State have uncovered three illicit drug warehouses and arrested 49 suspected traffickers during a series of intelligence-led operations in July, according to the state commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju.
Ofoyeju made the disclosure on Thursday in Benin while decorating 73 newly promoted officers of the command. He explained that the warehouses, located in Benin and Illushi in Esan South-East Local Government Area, were discovered through sustained intelligence-driven crackdowns aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks in the state.
Arrests and Gender Distribution
Of the 49 suspects taken into custody, 29 are women while 20 are men, a development the commander described as disturbing. He said this shift highlights the socio-economic vulnerability of women and a breakdown of traditional family stability, adding that the command is strategising on family value re-orientation to address the negative trend.
“We have observed that females top the list of persons arrested, with 29, while males are 20. This is concerning, as it highlights a shift in the socio-economic vulnerability of women and a breakdown of traditional family stability. The command is strategising on family value re-orientation to address this negative development,” he said.
Vehicles, Substances, and Warehouse Seizures
During the operations, operatives also intercepted two vehicles allegedly used to transport cannabis sativa: a Toyota Sienna with registration number NND 975 AG and a Toyota Camry with registration number BEN 503 BK. The commander noted that the interception was part of the command’s continued effort to disrupt the supply chain of illicit drugs.
The total weight of narcotics recovered from the warehouses and other operations stood at 2,596.29kg, with the bulk being cannabis. A breakdown of the seizures includes:
- Cannabis sativa: 2,588.4kg
- Psychotropic substances: 6.13kg
- Methamphetamine: 1.68kg
- Cocaine: 0.071kg
- Heroin: 0.005kg
- Codeine cough syrup: 15.3 litres
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): 10 cylinders
“The command also seized 15.3 litres of codeine cough syrup and 10 cylinders of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas,” Ofoyeju said.
Cannabis Plantation Destroyed
The agency equally destroyed a suspected cannabis plantation measuring 0.640903 hectares in the Egbisi Forest, Abudu, Orhionmwon Local Government Area. The farm was estimated to yield about 1,602.26kg of cannabis, further dealing a blow to illicit drug production in the state.
“The destruction of the suspected cannabis farm dealt another blow to illicit drug production in the state,” the commander stated.
Convictions, Rehabilitation, and Suspect's Claim
Within the same period, the command secured convictions in four drug-related cases and counselled 24 persons with drug use disorders, reuniting them with their families as part of the agency’s rehabilitation programme. One suspect, Osas Ogieva, 30, was arrested with a Toyota Sienna conveying 43 bags of cannabis weighing 468kg. He claimed he was only engaged to transport the consignment.
Promotion Policy and Officer Decoration
Speaking on the promotion of the 73 officers, Ofoyeju commended the NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retd.), for sustaining a promotion policy that has boosted morale and operational efficiency across the agency.
“This yearly promotion culture established by the chairman/chief executive officer has optimised the operational results of the agency. The morale of officers is now very high as they are enthusiastically poised to take on the most daring drug cartels,” he said.
The commander urged the newly promoted officers to lead with integrity, mentor junior officers, and maintain zero tolerance for corruption in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
