Operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and men of the Army bursted a four-bedroom bungalow used as a cannabis warehouse in Illushi community, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.

State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who disclosed this in a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday evening, said operatives seized fifty-two giant bags, three gallons of cannabis seeds and a bag of cannabis seeds during the joint operation he described as “intelligence-driven raid.”

According to Ofoyeju, 1,273kg cannabis with 86kg of cannabis seeds, totaling 1,359kg were recovered at the warehouse located in a residential building area in the Illushi community.

“During the raid on a four-bedroom bungalow that was being used as a warehouse for storing large quantities of the illegal substance, skunk cannabis weighing 1,286kg and 86kg of cannabis seeds were seized and evacuated.

“In addition, cannabis seeds weighing 86kg were also found in the warehouse. Two suspected drug traffickers were apprehended. They are Ojore Onweze, a 45-year-old male caught in connection with 60 kg of cannabis, and 30-year-old George Agwumede nabbed over 13kg of cannabis,” Mitchell stated.

He expressed concerns over the use of residential houses in warehousing narcotic drugs.

“The use of residential houses in stockpiling illicit drugs is dangerous and must be vehemently confronted by citizens.

“These enemies of the state must not be allowed to destroy our communities. We are pleased with the operational successes recorded because the quantity is massive and impressive.

“This raid is a testament to our unwavering determination to dismantle the networks that seek to undermine our collective peace and safety,” the commander assured.

He disclosed that investigation into the drug operation is ongoing, with authorities working diligently to uncover connections and potential accomplices.