The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has apprehended two articulated trucks loaded with 7,245 Kilo Grammes of suspected cannabis along the Auchi–Abuja highway.
Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, state Commander of the agency said that five suspected traffickers were arrested in connection with the seizure, describing the feat as a major blow on interstate drug networks.
According to him, this is the first time the command is intercepting two illicit drug trucks simultaneously.
” The successful interception of this suspected illicit drug trucks is a clear message to drug barons, that Edo is not a safe haven for drug cartel.
” The scale of this seizure, over seven metric tonnes, with a street value of N724 million, highlights the magnitude of the command’s effectiveness and its intelligence-driven operations.”
He said that the operation which followed a -72-hour surveillance and intelligence gathering, led operatives to the interception of the trucks that were disguised as beer cartons careers.
The commander said that the suspects arrested, were believed to be part of a network transporting the consignment from Sabongida-Ora in Owan West Local Government Area to Abuja.
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” This seizure has prevented a massive quantity of illicit drugs from reaching our streets and destroying lives, particularly among young people,” he said.
Ofoyeju added that the operation aligned with the agency’s mandate of dismantling drug trafficking networks, seizing of suspected illicit substances and prosecuting offenders.
The NDLEA boss said investigations were ongoing to uncover the full network behind the operation, while the trucks used for the haulage would be confiscated as exhibits.
He urged members of the public to support the agency with credible information to sustain the crackdown on drug trafficking across the state.
In another development, the Police Command in Edo says it has arrested six police personnel and four civilians over their alleged involvement in an extortion syndicate targeting residents in Benin.
This is contained in a statement on Monday in Benin, by ASP Eno Ikoedem, the command’s Public Relations Officer, PPRO.
Ikoedem explained that the arrest followed series of complaints from members of the public alleging harassment, abduction and extortion by individuals posing as police officers.
She said that the suspects operated mainly along the Teboga axis off Aduwawa, where unsuspecting residents were usually intercepted by them.
According to her, the suspects will forcefully convey their victims around the city and compelled them to withdraw money through Point of Sale, POS, operators under duress.
” The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, ordered a discreet, intelligence-led investigation, and through sustained surveillance, technical intelligence and coordinated operations by operatives of the command, the criminal network was successfully busted.
” This led to the arrest of the suspects and the dismantling of the criminal network.”
She noted that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects comprised of six serving and one dismissed police personnel working in collaboration with three civilian accomplices, including a POS operator and some commercial drivers.
” They formed a well-organised criminal syndicate responsible for abduction and extortion of innocent citizens, exploiting police accoutrements to deceive their victims,” Ikoedem said.
The police spokesperson said that serving personnel implicated in the case were undergoing internal disciplinary procedures, including orderly room trials.
She added that they would be prosecuted after investigations were concluded.
She called on victims of the syndicate to come forward with useful information to support ongoing investigations and prosecution, while warning POS operators and other service providers against facilitating illegal transactions.
” Any POS operator found to be complicit in such illegal activities will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” she warned.
Ikoedem reassured Edo residents of the command’s commitment to restoring public confidence and ensuring that all those involved were brought to justice.
NAN
