The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested five suspected drug traffickers and intercepted a massive consignment of cannabis valued at ₦724.5 million in Edo State.
State Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed the operation during a press briefing in Benin City, revealing that operatives seized 483 bags of skunk cannabis weighing 7,245 kilograms.
The illicit drugs were concealed in two articulated trucks disguised as vehicles transporting alcoholic beverages. According to the NDLEA, this marks the first time the command has intercepted two fully loaded drug trucks simultaneously.
The suspects arrested include Ibrahim Abu (29), Abu Abdullazeez (28), Jibril Jaminu (35), Andrew Moses (22), and Ganiyu Abu (21), all from Etsako East and Etsako West local government areas of the state.
A breakdown of the seizure showed that one truck carried 260 bags weighing 3,900kg, while the second contained 223 bags weighing 3,345kg.
Preliminary investigations indicate the consignment originated from Sabongida-Ora in Owan West LGA and was en route to Abuja before being intercepted.
Ofoyeju described the operation as a major success, emphasizing that it disrupts a large inter-state drug trafficking network and sends a strong warning to criminal elements.
He added that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full network behind the operation, while the seized trucks will be confiscated as instruments of crime.
