NDLEA seizes, destroys over 18,000kg of cannabis in Edo, arrests four suspects

Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have destroyed more than 18,000 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa in a major raid targeting illegal cultivators in the state.

Four suspects were apprehended during the operation.

The raid occurred on September 11, 2025, at Ugbogui Forest in Ovia South West Local Government Area. NDLEA State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the plantation, covering approximately 6.79 hectares, posed a serious threat to food security in the region.

“The operation, based on actionable intelligence, highlights the risks of dedicating arable land solely to illicit crops. If these lands were used for food and cash crops, it would significantly mitigate food shortages,” Ofoyeju explained.

The NDLEA recovered 112 bags of harvested and processed cannabis weighing 1,176 kilograms on-site. Four male suspects were arrested while taking refuge in tents within the plantation. Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects are expected to face prosecution.

Ofoyeju called on the public to continue providing intelligence to support the agency’s fight against drug-related crimes.