The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo Command, has destroyed cannabis farms and seized nearly two tonnes of illicit drugs in coordinated operations across forest communities in the state.

The Commander of the NDLEA, Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin while briefing newsmen on the recent activities of the command.

Ofoyeju said it operatives, acting on intelligence reports, uncovered three cannabis farms in Etiosa Forest, Owan West Local Government Area, measuring 0.145, 0.203 and 0.158 hectares.

According to him, a total of 1,956.92kg of cannabis was intercepted during the operations, while 0.508 hectares of cultivated farmland with an estimated yield of 1,266.85kg was destroyed.

He said that the operatives also recovered 23kg of processed cannabis at the location.

The command, Ofoyeju said, also arrested two suspects, including a 68-year-old woman, Evelyn Ogenewu, and a 43-year-old man, Friday Iruoje at the location.

The NDLEA boss said that eight kilogrammes of cannabis were confiscated from Iruoje and 15kg from Ogenewu.

“The operation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to eradicating illegal cannabis cultivation and trafficking across the state.

“We will continue to act on credible intelligence and take swift action against those involved in drug-related activities,” Ofoyeju stated.

In a related raid, he said the operatives of the command also seized 563.5kg of skunk cannabis at a Yoruba Camp in Olumoye Forest, Ovia North East Local Government Area.

Five suspects, he said, were apprehended at the camp including Murtala Mohammed, 37; Abdulkadir Idris, 29; Ufoma Edafe, 40; Anthony Aghati, 46; and Emmanuel Owalu, 39.

In a separate operation at Otuo Forest in Owan East Local Government Area, Ofoyeju said that his officers discovered eight bags and 60 compressed blocks of skunk cannabis concealed in a cocoa plantation, weighing 103.57kg.

He noted, however, that no arrests were made at that site, but investigations were ongoing to apprehend those responsible.

The commander urged residents to remain vigilant and support ongoing enforcement efforts.

He assured the public that investigations into all cases were active and that suspects would be prosecuted in line with the NDLEA Act. (NAN)