Edo NDLEA seizes 2,596 kg of drugs, arrests 49 suspects

In a major crackdown on narcotics trafficking in July, the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) uncovered three illicit drug warehouses, seized over 2.5 tonnes of narcotics, and arrested 49 suspects, with officials expressing concern that women now constitute the majority of those detained. State Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed the operational results on Thursday, July 30, 2026, during a ceremony in Benin City to decorate 73 newly promoted officers.

The intelligence-led operations targeted warehouses in Benin City and Illushi in Esan South-East Local Government Area. The seizures included 2,588.4 kilograms of cannabis, 6.13 kilograms of psychotropic substances, 1.68 kilograms of methamphetamine, 0.071 kilograms of cocaine, and 0.005 kilograms of heroin. Agents also confiscated 15.3 litres of codeine cough syrup and 10 cylinders of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. Two vehicles, a Toyota Sienna and a Toyota Camry, allegedly used to transport cannabis, were intercepted.

Commander Ofoyeju highlighted a disturbing demographic trend, noting that 29 of the 49 arrested suspects were women, while 20 were men. He described the...