The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Edo Command in the first half of 2025 intercepted 53,520.80kg of assorted illicit drugs with a street value of over ₦777 million.
Mitchell Ofoyeju, the NDLEA Commander in Edo, disclosed this on Monday in Benin during a media briefing to mark the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Ofoyeju, who is a commander of narcotics, said the command’s operatives arrested 28-year-old Esther Abumere, a 300-level student of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, who was found in possession of illicit drugs.
The suspect reportedly operated a supermarket in Ekpoma, which she used as a cover to peddle narcotics.
“Her arrest is a strong warning to drug barons that, notwithstanding the disguise, they will be smoked out. We have a responsibility under the law to protect every citizen through comprehensive drug supply control and prevention interventions,” Ofoyeju said.
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The drugs found in her possession included:
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31g of Colorado (a strong synthetic cannabis)
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763g of Canadian Loud (another potent cannabis variant)
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Different grammes of Tramadol capsules
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146 tablets of Swinol (56g)
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93 tablets of Rohypnol (30g)
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56 tablets of Molly (25g)
During interrogation, Abumere claimed she got involved in the drug trade to repay a loan from a microfinance bank.
The commander added that the agency also destroyed 18 cannabis farms in Edo and secured 24 convictions in the period under review.
The command also provided brief counselling for 194 clients and rehabilitated 19 individuals battling drug abuse.
Ofoyeju urged the public to support the agency by reporting suspicious drug-related activities, noting that crimes like cultism and kidnapping often stem from drug abuse.
“These enemies of the state can run but cannot hide. We will catch them, seize their drugs, trace their illicit wealth, and prosecute them,” he declared.
NAN
