Edo NDLEA Destroys Five Cannabis Plantations, Seizes 50,000 Tramadol Capsules

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Edo State has destroyed five cannabis farms spanning over two hectares and seized a massive haul of psychotropic substances, including 50,000 capsules of tramadol.

The state commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed the operations on Monday in Benin City, stating they were carried out over the past two weeks.

He expressed alarm over the rapid spread of illicit cannabis cultivation, warning that forests are being overtaken by plantations.

“We cannot continue this way because what began as a little garden is turning into a large plantation,” Ofoyeju said.

He called for stronger collaboration with local government councils, noting they are closer to the communities where the farms are located.

The destroyed plantations covered a total area of 2.269668 hectares with an estimated yield of 5,674.17 kilograms of cannabis.

Two farms measuring 0.928744 hectares were found in Usen Forest, Ovia South West, while two others spanning 1.004278 hectares were located in Igwe-Oke Forest, Owan East.

The fifth farm was discovered in Ogboha Forest, Owan West, where a 39-year-old suspect, Sunday Segun, was arrested at the scene.

In a separate operation at Okada, operatives arrested Hassan Mohammed with 7.1 kilograms of cannabis, three knives, and charms.

During a patrol in Auchi, officers intercepted a vehicle loaded with assorted drugs, including 590 bottles of codeine syrup, 100 tablets of Tramadol 225mg, and 25,000 tablets of Diazepam.

A 25-year-old suspect, Jamie Zubaru, was arrested in connection with that seizure and is assisting with the investigation.

Ofoyeju reaffirmed the command’s commitment to disrupting drug supply chains and protecting public health across Edo State.