NDLEA raids drug cartels, arrests 42 suspects, seizes 4.905.36kg drugs in Edo

Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), have arrested no 42 suspected drug traffickers in the State.

Among the arrested suspects are Patrick Imoukhede and Austine Anyamone who are both 45 years old with 169 kg of processed cannabis and 395 kg of skunk cannabis respectively.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, the NDLEA Commander in the State, disclosed this while reeling out the scorecards of the Command for the month of June, 2026 in Benin City.

Ofoyeju added that in another operation, drug cartels abandoned illicit pharmaceuticals in Uromi and fled to avoid arrest.

He said during a search operation on the premises led to the recovery of 540 bottles of codeine cough syrup, 11,100 capsules of tramadol (4.44 kg), 2,500 tablets of Swinol, and 100 ampules of Pentazocine injection.

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He also added that a suspected drug cartel abandoned codeine cough syrups, tramadol for fear of being apprehended.

The NDLEA boss in the State said the arrested suspects are 24 males and 18 females, adding that they were apprehended during intelligence-led operations across the State.

He also disclosed that three cannabis farms were destroyed 4,905.36kg of illicit drugs seized and 10 convictions secured in the period under review.

He stated that the farms were destroyed at Ikao Forest in Owan East and Ebora Camp in Ilushi, Esan South Local Government Areas of the State.

According to him, a total of 4,905.36kg of assorted drugs was seized, including 4,169.02 kg of cannabis destroyed in plantations and 736.34 kg of drugs intercepted within the State.

“They include Cannabis sativa, methamphetamine, and various psychotropic substances such as Swinol, diazepam, and Rohypnol. Additionally, 54.2 litres of codeine syrups were also recovered.

“In a major blow to illicit cannabis cultivation, the Command destroyed three cannabis plantations.

“Similarly, acting on intelligence, operatives raided Ebora Camp in Ilushi, Esan South LGA, where a cannabis plantation measuring 0.969978 hectares was discovered and destroyed. The farm had an estimated yield of 2,424.945 kg.

“In total, the three farms measured 1.667608 hectares with an estimated yield of 4,169.02 kg”, he said.

Speaking on conviction, he said the Command secured imprisonment of 10 suspects while three new cases charged in court.

“About 79 cases are currently pending before the Federal High Court in Benin City.

“The Command also prioritised drug demand reduction, counselling 19 clients, 15 males and 4 females who were released to their families while srven clients are currently undergoing rehabilitation.

“Additionally, six sensitisation programmes were conducted to educate the public on the dangers of drug abuse”, he stated.

Ofoyeju described the month of June as significant noting that the agency intensified drug control efforts with several activities commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.