The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, on Thursday decorated 73 newly promoted officers and announced the arrest of 49 suspected drug traffickers during operations across the State.
The command also disclosed that it uncovered three illicit drug warehouses and seized 2,596.29 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs in July.
Commander of Narcotics and State Commander, Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the agency’s promotion policy has boosted officers’ morale and strengthened the fight against illicit drug trafficking.
Ofoyeju, who commended the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, for the gesture, presented the command’s operational scorecard during the decoration ceremony in Benin City.
He said 49 suspected drug traffickers were arrested during the month under review, comprising 20 men and 29 women.
According to him, the growing involvement of women in drug trafficking is disturbing.
“This is concerning because it highlights increasing socio-economic vulnerability among women and reflects a breakdown of traditional family stability,” he said.
Ofoyeju further disclosed that the command uncovered three drug warehouses—two in Benin City and one in Illushi—and intercepted a Toyota Sienna and a Toyota Camry allegedly used to transport cannabis.
He added that NDLEA operatives also destroyed a 0.640903-hectare cannabis plantation in Egbisi Forest, Abudu, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, with an estimated yield of 1,602.26 kilogrammes of cannabis.
The State commander said the achievements underscored the command’s commitment to curbing drug trafficking and abuse through sustained intelligence-driven operations across Edo State.