The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested five suspects and destroyed a cannabis plantation estimated to produce 1,240.9 kilogrammes of the illicit crop in Edo State.
The arrests were made during separate operations conducted by operatives of the agency in different parts of the state.
The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the operations underscored the agency’s determination to disrupt drug trafficking and protect communities from substance abuse.
Ofoyeju said three suspects were arrested on August 18 after NDLEA operatives stormed a cannabis sativa plantation in Ukaro Forest, Owan West Local Government Area.
The suspects were identified as Imohimi Ugbeje, 50; Usihoro Saturday, 27; and Bala Sunday, 23.
According to him, the plantation covered approximately 0.496 hectares and had an estimated yield of 1,240.9kg of cannabis.
He said the operatives destroyed the plantation and recovered cannabis plant stems as well as half a bag of processed cannabis weighing 5.5kg.
In a separate operation on August 19, NDLEA operatives raided an illicit drug warehouse in Ihumudumu, Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.
The agency recovered 319 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup, 1,340 capsules of tramadol, 344 tablets of Rohypnol and 222 tablets of Danabol.
Although no suspect was arrested at the warehouse, the NDLEA said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the suspected owner of the drugs.
Also on August 19, two men were arrested in Benin City for allegedly possessing 290 grammes of “Canadian Loud,” a potent strain of synthetic cannabis.
The suspects were identified as Zege Japhet, 29, who allegedly possessed 185g, and Ifeanyi Ogashe, 43, who was allegedly found with 105g.
Ofoyeju said the arrests and seizures formed part of the agency’s sustained efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and reduce the availability of illicit substances in the state.
He also urged youths to shun drug abuse and engage in productive activities that would contribute to their personal development and the progress of their communities.
The NDLEA commander made the appeal at the inaugural National Youth Camp of the Scout Association of Nigeria in Benin City, where participants from Ogun, Oyo, Kogi and Delta states gathered under the theme, “Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development: Building a Peaceful and Prosperous Future.”
Ofoyeju said youth empowerment should go beyond education to include skills development, support and adequate awareness to enable young people make informed decisions.
He stressed the need for youths, as future leaders, to understand the dangers associated with substance abuse and participate actively in community programmes promoting health and wellbeing.
He said the NDLEA’s partnership with youth organisations such as the Scout Association would help combine empowerment with drug abuse prevention and awareness.
Ofoyeju urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities linked to drug trafficking or abuse, assuring that the agency would sustain its campaign against drug-related crimes.
