Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, have destroyed two cannabis plantations and arrested two suspects in Edo State.
The operation was carried out on September 23 at Eko Camp, Illushi, in the Esan South East Local Government Area of the state.
The two plantations covered 0.544092 hectares and had an estimated yield of 1,360.23kg of cannabis. Operatives also recovered and destroyed 107kg of processed cannabis, including cannabis seeds.
The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, identified the suspects as 43 year old Ajeh Egwuda and Nonso Ajodhe.
According to the commander, Egwuda was cultivating a plantation measuring 0.068011 hectares, with an estimated yield of 170.03kg, while Ajodhe was cultivating a larger plantation measuring 0.476081 hectares, with an estimated yield of 1,190.20kg.
The suspects reportedly told investigators that poverty and negative peer influence contributed to their involvement in cannabis cultivation.
Ofoyeju said the operation was part of the command’s efforts to combat illicit cannabis cultivation, drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State.
He added that the agency would continue working with the military, traditional rulers, community leaders and other security agencies to dismantle drug networks and prevent further cultivation.
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