The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State has seized illicit drugs valued at approximately N777 million during operations conducted between January and June 2025. The command also arrested 209 suspected drug traffickers during this period.
State Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju revealed these figures on Monday during a press briefing in Benin City, highlighting the command's achievements in the first half of the year. The briefing coincided with the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, themed "The Evidence Is Clear: Invest In Prevention."
Breakdown of Seized Substances
According to Ofoyeju, the command intercepted and seized a total of 53,520.80 kilograms of various illicit substances. The seizures included:
Cannabis: 53,441.3371 kg
Cocaine: 0.0216 kg
Heroin: 0.0111 kg
Methamphetamine: 1.0775 kg
Psychotropic substances: 78.3473 kg
Codeine-based syrup: 1,915 bottles (191.5 litres)
Pentazocine injection: 2,700 ampoules
Cannabis-laced cookies: 19 foil plates
Arrests and Prosecutions
The commander reported that of the 209 suspects arrested, 129 were males and 80 were females. The agency has secured convictions for 24 offenders (20 males and 4 females), while 110 cases remain at various stages of prosecution in court.
Notably, two suspects were apprehended at Ihiama Road within the Government Reserve Area (GRA), an area notorious for drug peddling activities in the state.
Rehabilitation Efforts
Beyond enforcement, the command has been active in providing counseling and rehabilitation services. Ofoyeju stated that brief intervention was provided to 194 clients with drug abuse disorders, comprising 135 males and 59 females.
"The war against illicit drugs remains a top priority for the General Marwa-led administration, and I am proud to report significant achievements in our ongoing efforts in the past six months," Ofoyeju said.
"Our dedicated teams have engaged in rigorous operations culminating in remarkable seizures of various narcotics, thereby ensuring the safety and well-being of Edo State," he added.
The commander assured that operations would continue, focusing on dislodging drug joints, identifying and evacuating illicit drug warehouses, and destroying cannabis plantations through constant raid operations.
Follow BenriNews on social media for more updates:
