NDLEA Arrests 39 Suspected Drug Traffickers, Destroys Cannabis Farms in Edo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State has arrested 39 suspected drug traffickers and destroyed two large cannabis farms in a sweeping crackdown on illicit drug activities. The arrests and seizures, which took place in May 2025, were revealed by the state commander, Mitchell Ofoyefu, during the presentation of his first monthly operational scorecard in Benin City.

Ofoyefu said the suspects comprised 18 males and 21 females who were apprehended during a series of coordinated raid operations across the state. As part of the operation, the NDLEA also discovered and destroyed cannabis farms totaling 0.782961 hectares in the Uzebba and Ohosu forests, located in the Owan West and Ovia South West Local Government Areas, respectively.

According to the commander, the farm in Uzebba measured 0.265874 hectares, while the one in Ohosu spanned 0.517087 hectares. A detailed breakdown of seized substances revealed a total of 1,133.337 kilograms of cannabis sativa, 118.4986 kilograms of psychotropic substances, 0.14103 kilograms of methamphetamines, 0.0024 kilograms of cocaine, 65.7 litres of codeine cough syrup, and 2,000 millilitres of pentazocine.

Ofoyefu stated that he has the directive of the NDLEA Chairman, Mohammed Marwa, to trace and dismantle syndicates involved in cannabis cultivation. He also highlighted the agency’s commitment to extending the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign to schools, churches, and mosques, targeting young adults and adolescents through awareness, education, and prevention programs.

He emphasized that the NDLEA is launching a robust public awareness initiative to educate the public on the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of seeking early intervention, reiterating the agency’s resolve to rid Edo State of drug-related threats.