BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN ROSE
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Edo State Command, has seized assorted illicit drugs with an estimated value of N777 million in the state.
It was reported at that the command said the seized illicit drugs weighed 53,520.80 kilogrammes.
The state Commander of NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this on Monday in Benin City while briefing the press on the achievements of the command between January and June, 2025.
The briefing was also part of the agency’s activities to commemorate the 2025 International Day Against Drug
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with the theme, ‘The Evidence Is Clear: Invest In Prevention’.
Ofoyeju said in the period under review, a total of 53,520.80 kg of drugs were intercepted and seized in the state.
He gave the breakdown of the seizure to include cannabis 53,441.3371 kg; cocaine 0.0216 kg; heroin 0.0111 kg; methamphetamine 1.0775 kg; psychotropic substances 78.3473 kg and codeine-based syrup 1,915 bottles (191.5 litres).
Others are Pentazocine injection 2.700 ampoules and 19 foil plates of cookies laced with cannabis.
The NDLEA commander added that within the period a total of 209 suspected drug traffickers made up of 129 males and 80 females were arrested.
He also added that the command secured the conviction of 24 offenders comprising 20 males and four females, while 110 cases at various stages of prosecution are pending in court.
Ofoyeju added that two of the suspects were arrested at Ihiama Road, within the Government Reserve Area, GRA, which is notorious for drug peddling.
He also disclosed that in the area of counselling and rehabilitation services to persons with drug abuse disorders, the command provided brief intervention to 194 clients, consisting of 135 males and 59 females.
“The war against illicit drugs remains a top priority for the General Marwa-led administration, and I am proud to report significant achievements in our ongoing efforts in the past six months.
“Our dedicated teams have engaged in rigorous operations culminating in remarkable seizures of various narcotics, thereby ensuring the safety and well-being of Edo State,” he said.
He, however, assured that the ongoing onslaught is aimed at dislodging every drug joint, identifying and evacuating illicit drug warehouses and destroying cannabis plantations through constant raid operations.
