The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo Command, has destroyed 4,628.9 kg of suspected cannabis in two plantations and arrested 10 suspects in separate operations.

The state commander, NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Benin.

Mr Ofoyeju said that the operations were carried out at Ugboku, Igbanke Forest, in the Orhionmwon Local Government Area, and Oluku and Abuja Quarters in Benin City.

He also said that the operations were conducted as part of the command’s efforts to rid the state of illicit drug activities.

He added that the operations were in line with the operational order of Buba Marwa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, to dislodge illicit drug locations nationwide.

“In a renewed offensive tasking order, the command discovered and successfully destroyed two suspected cannabis farms measuring 1.851591 hectares with an estimated yield of 4,628.9775 kg,” Mr Ofoyeju said.

“One suspect, a male aged 40, was arrested in connection with the first farm measuring 0.699792 hectares and had an estimated yield of 1,749.26 kg of cannabis.

“The second farm, measuring 1.151889 hectares, had an estimated yield of 2,879.7225 kg and was also destroyed.

“Additionally, two bags of processed substance suspected to be cannabis sativa weighing 12.4 kg were recovered from the second farm,” he said.

The commander added that the command also carried out a targeted raid at Oluku and Abuja Quarters in the state capital.

He said the operation was aimed at dislodging drug flashpoints and led to the arrest of 10 suspected male drug traffickers with various quantities of illicit substances.

At Oluku, Mr Ofoyeju said a 28-year-old male suspect from the Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta was arrested with 25.857 kg of suspected cannabis and 93 g of methamphetamine.

According to him, the suspect was arrested on August 14.

“Nine other suspects were arrested at Abuja Quarters on August 13,” he said.

He disclosed that the suspects were from Nasarawa, Katsina, Kano and Benue states, adding that they were arrested in possession of illicit substances ranging from Loud, cannabis sativa, Swinol and Danabol.

Others he said were tramadol, diazepam and methamphetamine.

Mr Ofoyeju said all suspects had been taken into custody, while investigations were ongoing in preparation for prosecution.

(NAN)