In the month of June, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Edo State Command recorded remarkable victory in its war against illegal drug activities as it intercepted 4,905.36 kg of illicit drugs.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, Mitchell Ofoyeju, a Commander of Narcotics stated that 42 suspected drug traffickers were arrested while three cannabis farms were also destroyed.
“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. On June 17, 2026, officers raided Ikao Forest in Owan East Local Government Area, where two farms measuring 0.69763 hectares were identified and destroyed. One suspect, Patrick Imoukhede, a 45-year-old male, was arrested at the scene, and 169 kg of processed cannabis was recovered.
“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.
“During a separate operation in the same camp, 45-year-old Austine Anyamone was apprehended with 395 kg of skunk cannabis. In total, the three farms measured 1.667608 hectares with an estimated yield of 4,169.02 kg.
“In another operation, drug cartels abandoned illicit pharmaceuticals in Uromi and fled to avoid arrest. A search operation there 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.