The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo Command, says it has seized 5,492 Kilogrammes of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa within two days in the state.
Mr Buba Wakawa, state Commander of the agency, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Benin on Thursday.
Wakawa said that the seizures were made from two concealed warehouses discovered by the personnel of the command in two communities across two Local Government Areas of the state.
He explained that on Nov. 23, acting on credible intelligence, personnel of the agency stormed a storage facility at Uzzeba in Owas West Local Government Area in the state and evacuated 107 bags of suspected Cannabis Sativa weighing 1,240 Kilogrammes, (1.240 tonnes)
“Then on Nov. 24, the command discovered another concealed warehouse at Uhiere village in Ovia North East Local Government Area.
“The command’s personnel went into action immediately and a total of 315 bags of suspected cannabis sativa weighing 4,252 Kilogrammes (4.252 tonnes) were evacuated and removed from circulation from a concealed warehouse”.
He added that a 21 years old suspect was arrested during the operations.
He disclosed that the two seizures were a major seizure by the command in November, as the quantity of suspected cannabis sativa were huge.
He added that there were other seizures made in November, which when added brings the total seizure made within the month to 6,477.86 Kilogrammes.
The commander further disclosed that within the month under review, 22 suspects comprising 18 males and four females were arrested in connection with drug trafficking.
“The command however within the period secured 10 convictions, while nine drug cases were filed at the Federal High Court, Benin.
“We also counselled 13 drug abuse clients within the period”, he said.
Wakawa reiterated the state’s command commitment to vigorously work in tune with the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer (CCEO), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa vision in the war against drug abuse.
“The above two huge seizure are testimonies to the CCEO’s vision for the state and the country in general.”(NAN)
