NDLEA DISMANTLES MAJOR DRUG RING IN EDO, SEIZES 345KG OF ILLICIT SUBSTANCES

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded major breakthroughs in its anti-drug operations in Edo State, arresting 37 suspects and seizing over 345 kilograms of illicit substances in a single month. The State Commander, Buba Wakawa, told reporters during a media briefing on July 6 that the suspects were arrested across Benin City, Auchi, Ekpoma, and Ehor, with seizures ranging from cannabis sativa to methamphetamine and tramadol. He said most of the traffickers were operating out of unregistered pharmacies and makeshift depots. Wakawa explained that the agency had received credible intelligence from local informants and collaborated with the Edo State Security Network to effect some of the arrests. “We are scaling up our efforts to cut off the supply chain of hard drugs, especially ahead of the back-to-school period, where student vulnerability tends to spike,” he said. The NDLEA also announced plans to expand its school-based sensitization programs and partner with religious and youth groups to curb rising drug abuse among teenagers. Rehabilitative services are being scaled up at state-run drug centers in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development. Residents and community leaders have lauded the crackdown, calling it long overdue. Analysts say that a coordinated effort between NDLEA, local vigilantes, and schools could help break the cycle of addiction and criminality tied to drug trafficking in the region.