NDLEA Edo cannabis interception sees 7,245kg of skunk worth N724m seized in Benin City as five suspects are arrested

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Edo State have intercepted 7,245 kilograms of skunk cannabis valued at ₦724.5 million, concealed in cartons of beer, in a major anti-drug operation.

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Edo NDLEA intercepts large cannabis consignment was disclosed by the state commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, during a press briefing in Benin City on Monday, where he confirmed the arrest of five suspects linked to the illicit consignment.

According to Mitchell Ofoyeju, the drugs were seized on Saturday, April 11, along the Auchi-Abuja Road axis after operatives acted on actionable intelligence and conducted a coordinated raid targeting suspected traffickers.

The suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abu, Abu Abdullazeez, Jibril Jaminu, Andrew Moses, and Ganiyu Abu, are said to be indigenes of Etsako East and Etsako West local government areas.

Officials revealed that the cannabis was hidden inside two articulated trucks disguised as shipments of beer, a tactic described as a sophisticated attempt to evade detection.

Mitchell Ofoyeju characterised the operation as a monumental success, noting that it followed 72 hours of intelligence gathering and surveillance, ultimately disrupting a major interstate drug trafficking network.

He added that the seizure, involving over seven metric tonnes of cannabis, is the first time the Edo Command has intercepted two trucks loaded with illicit drugs simultaneously.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the consignment originated from Sabongida-Ora in Owan West Local Government Area and was destined for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, before it was intercepted.

NDLEA bust of cannabis shipment in Edo, according to the commander, prevented a significant quantity of dangerous substances from reaching communities, particularly young people who are most vulnerable to drug abuse.

He further stated that the operation aligns with the zero-tolerance directive of NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks and prosecuting offenders.

The seized trucks and exhibits have been moved to the agency’s headquarters in Benin City, where further investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of the trafficking network.

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Authorities have also assured that all those involved will be brought to justice, while calling on the public to continue providing timely information to support anti-drug efforts.