The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted 763.3 kilogrammes of cannabis and arrested two suspected traffickers in a series of operations conducted ahead of the festive season.
State Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed the development in a statement on Wednesday, describing the crackdown as part of intensified pre-Yuletide strategies to rid the state of illicit drugs. He added that two vehicles conveying the substances were also impounded.
According to him, the first operation took place on December 2 at Agho Forest in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, where officers intercepted two Honda Accord cars loaded with compressed skunk.
The first vehicle, with registration number ABC-678KK, contained 341 packages weighing 217.5kg, and its driver, Dada Adedara Babawibi (56), was arrested.
The second car, marked GGE-772FB, carried 361 packages weighing 230kg. The driver fled and is currently being trailed by operatives. The two seizures had a combined weight of 447.5kg.
In a separate operation on December 4, NDLEA operatives stormed a warehouse in the Isiefve community, Uhunwonde LGA, arresting Stanley Obasuwa (36) and seizing 315.8kg of cannabis seeds stored in an improvised structure.
Ofoyeju said the total seizures from both operations amounted to 763.3kg, describing the haul as a significant step towards curbing drug trafficking during the end-of-year celebrations.
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“These arrests and seizures demonstrate our unwavering dedication to eradicating drug-related crimes that threaten the safety and well-being of our communities,” he said.
He added that investigations were ongoing to track additional suspects and dismantle drug networks operating across Edo State. The agency urged residents to provide credible information to aid ongoing enforcement efforts.
The command had earlier arrested two suspects transporting cannabis along the Benin–Akure Road during a November 13 patrol.