NDLEA seizes 1,378kg of skunk cannabis in Edo, arrests suspect

The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confiscated 125 bags of dried weeds suspected to be skunk cannabis, with a total weight of 1,378 kilogrammes.

The seizure followed a raid on a warehouse in the Igbanke community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. One suspect, 37-year-old Roland Owie, a native of Igbanke, was arrested during the operation.

According to the Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the bust represents a major victory in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. The operation was based on credible intelligence and targeted a key distribution hub.

Ofoyeju noted that intercepting such a large quantity disrupts the supply of harmful substances to streets, schools, and communities, thereby protecting young people from the dangers of addiction. He emphasised that supply suppression remains a core strategy of the agency, alongside demand reduction through advocacy and rehabilitation.

The commander further stated that every kilogramme seized weakens trafficking syndicates and undermines the criminal economy. He warned drug barons that Edo State is not a safe haven for illegal activities, adding that the agency’s intelligence and operational capabilities remain robust.

He also commended the professionalism of his officers and called on the public to continue supporting the NDLEA with useful information.

In the first three months of the year, the Edo Command had previously seized illicit drugs worth about N1.8 billion. During that period, a total of 18,380 kilogrammes of drugs were recovered from 104 suspected traffickers, including 71 males and 33 females. That total comprised 5,825 kilogrammes seized and 12,556 kilogrammes of cannabis destroyed on ten farms covering over five hectares.