Cynthia Ezegwu
The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the seizure of 1,455 kilogrammes of cannabis abandoned in two Toyota Sienna buses along the Okhokho-Isi Community Road in Uhunmwode Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Monday, the state commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the interception occurred on October 29, 2025, at about 3:00 a.m., when operatives spotted the vehicles suspected to be transporting narcotics.
According to the statement, both vehicles began their journey from Okpuje, a community known for large-scale cannabis cultivation and trafficking.
“The first vehicle, a light blue Toyota Sienna with registration number EPE 545 EV, was found to be carrying 666kg of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa,” Ofoyeju said.
The second vehicle, a dark ash Toyota Sienna with registration number ABC 142 CD, contained 789kg of the same substance.
However, no arrests were made as the suspected traffickers reportedly fled the scene, abandoning the vehicles and the illicit cargo.
Ofoyeju said the NDLEA had launched a full-scale investigation to track down the traffickers, warning criminal networks operating in the state that the agency would continue to intensify its crackdown on drug cartels.
He stated, “Those who think they can evade the law and exploit communities through illicit drug trade should think again. We are prepared and committed to enforcing the law with unprecedented measures against harmful substances and their distributors.”
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The commander urged members of the public to support the agency by reporting suspicious drug-related activities, assuring that the NDLEA remains vigilant through continuous patrols and community engagement.
He reminded drug traffickers to desist from their illegal operations, adding that the fight against drug abuse and trafficking requires collective effort.
The command recently disclosed that it arrested 39 suspected drug traffickers in October and seized 2,447.59kg of illicit drugs. It has also destroyed several cannabis farms and intensified sensitisation campaigns aimed at curbing drug abuse across the state.