The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State says it has recovered a large consignment of suspected cannabis hidden inside a shrine in Igwe community, Owan East Local Government Area of the state.
State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in Benin City, stating that operatives acted on credible intelligence which led to a coordinated raid carried out on May 22, 2026.
According to the agency, officers discovered about 59 bags of skunk cannabis, including dried cannabis and seeds, with a combined estimated weight of 498 kilogrammes. The illicit drugs were reportedly abandoned inside the shrine by members of a suspected drug trafficking network operating in the area.
The NDLEA said the prime suspect, identified as a notorious drug baron known as “Asrenre,” fled the scene before operatives arrived and is currently at large.
The operation reportedly met resistance from some local youths who claimed the site was a sacred place of worship for traditional deities and should not be disturbed. However, the agency insisted that a thorough search of the area led to the discovery of the concealed drugs.
Commander Ofoyeju emphasized that the NDLEA would continue its operations against drug trafficking networks regardless of location, including places considered sacred or restricted by local beliefs.
He noted that the agency is empowered by law to search any premises where narcotics are suspected to be hidden, adding that intelligence-led operations remain central to its strategy in tackling drug-related crimes across the state.
The NDLEA further assured residents of its commitment to dismantling drug syndicates and bringing traffickers to justice, warning that no hiding place would be safe for criminal elements involved in the illicit drug trade.
