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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

NDLEA arrests 42 suspected drug traffickers in Edo

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers in Edo State during June operations.
  • The agency seized nearly 5,000 kilograms of illicit drugs, including cannabis, methamphetamine, and codeine syrup, and destroyed three cannabis farms.
  • Ten suspects were convicted, and 79 cases are pending in court, while the agency also conducted drug demand reduction programs.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) apprehended 42 individuals suspected of drug trafficking in Nigeria's Edo State throughout June. These operations, described as intelligence-led, also resulted in the seizure of 4,905.36 kilograms of illegal substances and the destruction of three cannabis farms.

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.

— Mitchell OfoyejuCommander of Narcotics Mitchell Ofoyeju detailing the quantity and types of drugs seized.

Commander of Narcotics, Mitchell Ofoyeju, stated that the arrested individuals included 24 men and 18 women. The agency intensified its drug control efforts in June, coinciding with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Seized drugs included significant quantities of cannabis (4,169.02 kg destroyed in plantations and 736.34 kg intercepted), methamphetamine, and various psychotropic substances like Swinol, diazepam, and Rohypnol. Additionally, 54.2 liters of codeine syrup were recovered.

The NDLEA also targeted cannabis cultivation, destroying three farms. In one operation on June 17, officers raided Ikao Forest, destroying two farms totaling 0.69763 hectares and arresting one suspect with 169 kg of processed cannabis. Another raid in Ebora Camp uncovered and destroyed a 0.969978-hectare farm yielding an estimated 2,424.945 kg of cannabis, and 395 kg of skunk cannabis was seized from another suspect in the same camp. In Uromi, drug cartels abandoned pharmaceuticals, leading to the recovery of 540 bottles of codeine syrup, 11,100 tramadol capsules, 2,500 Swinol tablets, and 100 ampules of Pentazocine injection.

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

— Mitchell OfoyejuMitchell Ofoyeju highlighting the destruction of cannabis farms.

Regarding legal proceedings, the NDLEA secured 10 convictions in June, filed three new cases, and has 79 cases pending before the Federal High Court in Benin City. The agency also focused on drug demand reduction, counseling 19 individuals and having seven clients undergoing rehabilitation. Six public sensitization programs were conducted to educate citizens on the dangers of drug abuse.

The current board of the PSC under my watch will not condone any form of misconduct by police officers.

— Hashimu ArgunguChairman of the Police Service Commission Hashimu Argungu reiterating the commission's stance on misconduct.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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