The Edo command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it arrested 37 suspected drug traffickers and seized narcotic drugs weighing 345.421 kilogrammes in June.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, the state commander of the agency, disclosed this on Monday while reviewing the command’s operations in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

“In the month of June, narcotic officers apprehended 37 suspects, comprising 25 males and 12 females.

“These arrests were part of a broader strategy aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks and addressing the concerns on substance abuse within the communities,” Mr Ofoyeju said.

The commander gave the breakdown of the first batch of seizures to include 310.485kg of cannabis, 0.3415kg of psychotropic substances and 0.3175kg of methamphetamine.

Other batches were 33.226kg of cannabis sativa, 0.67kg of psychotropic substances, 0.373kg of methamphetamine, 5 litres of codeine syrup, and 0.004kg of cocaine, which were abandoned.

“In a bid to further disrupt the drug trade, the command undertook the destruction of illegal cannabis farms measuring 7.27 hectares with an estimated yield of 18,184.7128kg.

“We razed the farms located in Okhuse Forest and Ugbada Uzebba Forest, both in the Owan West Local Government Area of the state,” he said.

Mr Ofoyeju explained that the command’s prosecution unit charged 11 cases to court and secured five convictions within the period.

He said 107 cases were pending at the Federal High Court in Benin.

Recognising the importance of community engagement, he said the Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the command provided counselling to 32 clients, comprising 18 males and 14 females.

The unit also conducted a series of awareness programmes involving various organisations across the state.

The NDLEA boss stressed that the agency remained steadfast in its mandate to combat drug trafficking and abuse.

He emphasised the commitment of the agency to dismantling drug cartels through continued vigilance and community involvement.

(NAN)