The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it arrested 75 suspected drug traffickers in connection with 16.8 tonnes of illicit substances seized and destroyed in October.

The Edo commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. He said the suspects comprised 54 males and 21 females.

According to him, the command seized 2,496.12 kilogrammes of illicit substances and destroyed cannabis weighing 14,322.05 kilogrammes from eight farms covering 5.73 hectares.

Other substances seized included 3.22kg of psychotropic substances, 0.20kg of methamphetamine, 35 cylinders of nitrous oxide, six cups of cannabis brownies and 4.1 litres of codeine syrup.

Mr Ofoyeju said the statistics were released as the NDLEA chairman, Buba Marwa, charged the command to intensify operations against drug cartels in the state. Mr Marwa gave the charge during an official visit to the command last week, urging officers to sustain intelligence-led operations and dismantle trafficking networks.

Mr Ofoyeju described the visit as a morale booster, saying it strengthened the command’s resolve to intensify the fight against drug trafficking.

One of the major seizures during the period, he said, involved a black Toyota Camry intercepted at Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area, conveying 1,049 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 702.83kg.

He said three suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.

Mr Ofoyeju said the destroyed cannabis farms were located in Uzebba Forest, Ukhuise-Osi Community and Ugbada Forest in Owan West; Ugboshi Ele Forest in Akoko-Edo; and Eco Camp, Illushi, in Esan South East.

On prosecution, he said the command secured six convictions and filed 14 cases in court, while 103 cases remained pending.

He added that the command’s Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation Unit counselled 47 clients, comprising 33 males and 14 females, who were subsequently released to their families.

“Another 12 clients are undergoing rehabilitation and vocational training in tailoring, embroidery, perfume making and liquid soap production,” he said.

Mr Ofoyeju said the command also conducted 10 sensitisation programmes in schools, worship centres, markets and public places in Benin City, reaching 5,293 people.

He said the participants comprised 2,324 males and 2,969 females.

(NAN)