Edo State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has apprehended two articulated trucks loaded with 7,245 kilograms of suspected cannabis along the Auchi–Abuja highway.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, the agency’s state commander, disclosed this at a news conference in Benin on Monday.

Mr Ofoyeju said that five suspected traffickers were arrested in connection with the seizure, describing the feat as a major blow to interstate drug networks.

According to him, this is the first time the command has simultaneously intercepted two illicit drug trucks.

“The successful interception of these suspected illicit drug trucks is a clear message to drug barons that Edo is not a safe haven for drug cartels.

”The scale of this seizure (over seven metric tonnes) with a street value of N724 million, highlights the magnitude of the command’s effectiveness and its intelligence-driven operations.”

He said that the operation, which followed a 72-hour surveillance and intelligence-gathering effort, led operatives to intercept trucks disguised as beer carton carriers.

The commander said that the suspects arrested were believed to be part of a network transporting the consignment from Sabongida-Ora in Owan West Local Government Area to Abuja.

”This seizure has prevented a massive quantity of illicit drugs from reaching our streets and destroying lives, particularly among young people,” he said.

Mr Ofoyeju added that the operation aligned with the agency’s mandate of dismantling drug trafficking networks, seizing suspected illicit substances and prosecuting offenders.

The NDLEA boss said investigations were ongoing to uncover the full network behind the operation, while the trucks used for the haulage would be confiscated as exhibits.

He urged members of the public to support the agency with credible information to sustain the crackdown on drug trafficking across the state.

(NAN)