The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, arrested 68 suspected drug traffickers and seized 7,531.51 kilogrammes of illicit drugs in the state in August 2026.
According to the agency, the suspects comprised 34 males and 34 females, while the seized substances included cannabis sativa, psychotropic substances, methamphetamine and codeine syrup.
The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who disclosed this on Thursday, said the arrests and seizures followed several intelligence-led operations conducted across the state.
“The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Edo State Command, has arrested 68 (34 male and 34 female) suspected drug traffickers with 7,531.51kg of narcotic drugs in the month of August 2026,” Ofoyeju stated.
He said cannabis sativa accounted for 7,524.83kg of the total quantity seized, comprising 1,098.177kg recovered during operations and 6,433.33kg destroyed in cannabis plantations.
Other substances recovered, according to the commander, were 5.3311kg of psychotropic substances, 0.0668kg of methamphetamine and 34.8 litres of codeine syrup.
Ofoyeju said the command also identified and destroyed four cannabis farms in different parts of the state as part of efforts to tackle the cultivation and distribution of illicit drugs.
He disclosed that two of the farms were located in Igbanke Forest, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, while the other two were discovered at Ukaro and Ewe forests in Owan West LGA.
The four farms covered a combined 2.573331 hectares, with an estimated 6,433.33kg of cannabis destroyed, he added.
The commander said no conviction was recorded during the month because the Federal High Court was on vacation, while three new cases were charged and 87 others remained pending.
Ofoyeju expressed the command’s determination to sustain its crackdown on drug trafficking and cultivation in Edo State.
“We are unwavering in our commitment to tackling the drug problem in Edo State. Our recent operations showcase our dedication to flushing out drugs from our communities and apprehending those who wish to profit from the suffering of others,” he said.
He added that the command would continue to work with community leaders, media organisations and other law enforcement agencies to curb drug abuse and trafficking.
Meanwhile, the commander said the command had intensified its community outreach and rehabilitation efforts, with its counselling and treatment units providing counselling to 23 clients.
He added that 12 individuals were enrolled in vocational training programmes, including tailoring, perfume-making and liquid soap production.
According to him, five sensitisation programmes were also organised during the month, attracting more than 2,150 participants.