The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers during June 2026 operations across the state. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the command's head, revealed the figures while briefing reporters in Benin City on the month's achievements.
Among those arrested were Patrick Imoukhede and Austine Anyamone, both 45 years old. Imoukhede was found with 169 kg of processed cannabis, while Anyamone had 395 kg of skunk cannabis in his possession.
In a separate raid on a drug cartel's hideout in Uromi, operatives discovered abandoned illicit pharmaceuticals after the suspects fled. The search turned up 540 bottles of codeine cough syrup, 11,100 tramadol capsules weighing 4.44 kg, 2,500 Swinol tablets, and 100 ampules of Pentazocine injection.
The arrested suspects comprised 24 males and 18 females, all rounded up during intelligence-led sweeps. Ofoyeju said the operations targeted high-risk areas across the state.
The command destroyed three cannabis farms during the month and seized a total of 4,905.36 kg of assorted drugs. Among the seizures were 4,169.02 kg of cannabis destroyed at plantation sites and 736.34 kg intercepted within the state.
Two of the farms sat at Ikao Forest in Owan East, while the third was located at Ebora Camp in Ilushi, Esan South Local Government Area. The Ebora Camp plantation alone covered 0.969978 hectares with an estimated yield of 2,424.945 kg before destruction.
Combined, all three farms measured 1.667608 hectares with a total estimated yield of 4,169.02 kg. Operatives also recovered 54.2 litres of codeine syrup during the raids.
Drugs seized included cannabis sativa, methamphetamine, and various psychotropic substances such as Swinol, diazepam, and Rohypnol. The haul reflected the command's focus on dismantling cultivation networks.
The court system backed the agency's efforts with 10 convictions secured in June. Ofoyeju noted that three additional cases were charged in court and 79 others remain pending before the Federal High Court in Benin City.
Beyond enforcement, the command prioritised treatment and prevention. It counselled 19 clients—15 males and 4 females—who were subsequently released to their families, while seven clients continued rehabilitation programmes.
The agency conducted six public sensitisation programmes to raise awareness about drug abuse dangers. Ofoyeju described June as a significant month, saying the command intensified efforts in line with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking commemoration.
