Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA in Edo State have intercepted 7,245 kilograms of skunk cannabis valued at N724.5 million.
The illicit drugs were concealed in cartons of beer and uncovered during a major operation in the state.
State Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing in Benin City.
He said five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
According to him, the drugs were intercepted from two articulated trucks along the Auchi-Abuja Road following credible intelligence.
The suspects were identified as Ibrahim Abu, Abu Abdullazeez, Jibril Jaminu, Andrew Moses, and Ganiyu Abu.
Ofoyeju described the operation as a landmark success, noting it was the first time two drug-laden trucks were intercepted simultaneously in the command’s history.
He said the breakthrough followed 72 hours of intensive surveillance and disrupted a major interstate drug trafficking network.
“The operation aligns with the strategic mandate and zero-tolerance directive set forth by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd),” he said.
“Upon search, the trucks, ostensibly carrying cartons of beer, were found to be cleverly concealing hundreds of bags of processed weeds,” Ofoyeju added.
He assured that investigations are ongoing to uncover the wider network and bring all those involved to justice.
