NDLEA destroys 18,000kg of cannabis, arrests 4 suspects in Edo

The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested four suspects and destroyed over 18,000 kilograms of cannabis in the state. The commander of the NDLEA in the state, Mitchell Ofoyej, told journalists that the illicit drugs were destroyed at Ugbogui Forest in Ovia South West Local Government Area. He […]

The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested four suspects and destroyed over 18,000 kilograms of cannabis in the state.

The commander of the NDLEA in the state, Mitchell Ofoyej, told journalists that the illicit drugs were destroyed at Ugbogui Forest in Ovia South West Local Government Area.

He said the suspects—Ebenezer E. Wang (48), Oshare John (45), Emmanuel Monday (29) and David Sunday (30)—who hail from Akwa Ibom and Delta states, were arrested while taking refuge in their tents within the farms.

Ofoyeju stated that the command took a bold step to cut off the illicit supply of cannabis with the destruction of a vast Cannabis sativa plantation spanning approximately 6.79 hectares, with an estimated yield of over 16,966 kilograms.

He added that the agency also recovered 112 bags of harvested and processed cannabis weighing 1,176 kilograms from the farm.

According to him, investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court soon.

He urged the public to continue providing intelligence to assist in the fight against drug-related crimes, as the NDLEA remains vigilant in promoting public health and safety.

He warned that the cultivation of illicit crops, if not contained, constitutes a serious threat to food security in the state.