NDLEA and Army seize over 600kg of cannabis, chase suspected drug lord

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Army have seized 604.5kg of cannabis. They are also searching for a suspected drug lord in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The State Commander of NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, shared this news in a statement on Monday in Benin. He said the operation took place on 5 August at Ewe Luleha, a known drug hotspot in Owan West. During the operation, officers found 65 bags of dried weeds that tested positive for skunk cannabis.

Mr Ofoyeju mentioned that they are looking for the suspected kingpin named Sunday, who managed to escape during the operation. "We are tracking the suspected drug kingpin, one Sunday, who is in hiding, following recovery of the 604.5kg of cannabis. He has nowhere to hide because we will certainly apprehend him," Mr Ofoyeju said.

He added that this operation is part of the agency’s renewed effort to break down drug trafficking networks across Edo. He also reported that nine suspected drug peddlers were arrested in separate operations at different drug hotspots in the state.

The arrested suspects include five males and four females. According to Mr Ofoyeju, they had various amounts of cannabis, loud, colorado, methamphetamine, and tramadol. He noted that these arrests and seizures show the command’s ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply and sale of illegal drugs in Edo.

The NDLEA commander called on residents to support the agency by giving reliable information that could help catch fleeing suspects and dismantle drug trafficking networks. "These arrests and drug seizures not only highlight law enforcement efforts but also signify the increasing need for community involvement in reporting illicit activities.

I urge members of the public to provide any information that may lead to the apprehension of the fleeing suspects and to support ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State," he said.

Mr Ofoyeju assured that investigations into drug-related activities will continue and that the suspects will face prosecution according to the law.