NDLEA arrests 42 suspects, destroys 10 cannabis farms in Edo

In September, the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) made significant arrests and dismantled cannabis farms in the state. Commanding officer Mitchell Ofoyeju revealed that 42 individuals, including 20 males and 22 females, were arrested during the operations. The suspects, predominantly women, were involved in illicit drug trafficking, indicating a growing trend in the state.

During the same period, the agency seized a total of 271.92348 kg of illicit substances. This comprised 245.29 kg of cannabis sativa, 25.97 kg of psychotropic substances, and 0.66 kg of methamphetamine. Additionally, the command recovered 62.6 litres of codeine syrup. These seizures were made possible through intelligence-led enforcement activities under the mandate of NDLEA chairman and CEO Mohamed Buba Marwa.

One of the notable arrests was that of Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, also known as Omega, a suspected notorious drug trafficker. Odeh was apprehended along with his 26-year-old sales girl, Ojugo Mercy. The agency declared Odeh a wanted individual following his escape from arrest. From the vehicle they seized, the NDLEA recovered 65 grams of cannabis, N1.16 million, and 55 Ethiopian birr. These items were documented as exhibits.

In addition to the arrests and seizures, the NDLEA destroyed 10 cannabis farms, covering a total area of 3.69 hectares. These farms were located in various parts of Edo State. The estimated total yield from these farms was 9,248.2575 kg. The destroyed farms were situated at different locations, including Monday Camp, Ovia South-West, Igwe-Oke Community Forest, Owan East, Okagboro Forest, Owan West, Ukporwoya Forest, Owan West, and Eko Camp, Illushi, in Esan South-East Local Government Area.