The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Edo State Command, has destroyed five cannabis farms and arrested three suspected drug traffickers during recent operations across the state.
The state commander of the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City on Monday.
Ofoyeju raised concern over the expansion of illegal cannabis cultivation, warning that plantations were gradually taking over forests in parts of the state.
He called on local government chairmen to work closely with the NDLEA to curb the cultivation and distribution of illicit drugs.
According to the command, the five cannabis farms were uncovered in forests across Ovia South West, Owan East and Owan West Local Government Areas.
Two farms covering 0.928744 hectares were discovered at Monday Camp in Usen Forest, Ovia South West LGA, while another two, measuring 1.004278 hectares, were located at Igwe-Oke Forest in Owan East LGA.
A fifth farm covering 0.336646 hectares was found at Ogboha Forest in Owan West LGA.
The plantations collectively covered 2.269668 hectares and had an estimated yield of 5,674.17kg of cannabis.
During the operation at Ogboha Forest, operatives arrested a 39-year-old suspect, identified as Sunday Segun.
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In a separate operation at Bob-Izua Park, New Road, Okada, the agency arrested Hassan Mohammed with 7.1kg of cannabis. Three knives and charms were also recovered from him.
The NDLEA commander further disclosed that anti-narcotics operatives intercepted a vehicle in Auchi containing a large consignment of suspected illicit drugs.
The seized substances included 590 bottles of codeine syrup, 50,000 capsules of Tramadol 100mg, 100 tablets of Tramadol 225mg and 25,000 tablets of Diazepam.
A 25-year-old suspect, Jamie Zubaru, was arrested in connection with the seizure and is assisting investigators with further inquiries.
Ofoyeju said the command would sustain its operations against the illicit drug trade, stressing that the efforts were aimed at protecting public safety and improving community health.
He urged stakeholders, particularly local government authorities, to strengthen collaboration with the agency to prevent illegal drug cultivation from expanding across the state.
