A joint operation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Army has uncovered a suspected drug hub in Ewe Luleha community, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, with 604.5 kilogrammes of cannabis seized.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Commander of Narcotics, Edo State Command, Mitchell Ofoyeju, in Benin yesterday.

Ofoyeju said operatives recovered 65 bags of materials that tested positive for cannabis, weighing 604.5 kilogrammes.

He added that the command had launched a manhunt for the suspected drug kingpin, identified as Sunday, who allegedly fled the area during the operation.

“He has nowhere to hide because we will certainly apprehend him,” Ofoyeju said.

The commander also disclosed that nine suspected drug peddlers were arrested at various drug hotspots across the state in a related operation.

Among those arrested, he said, was 58-year-old Musa Muhammed, a grandfather from Bauchi State, who was allegedly found with 280 grammes of cannabis, 35 grammes of Loud and 1.4 grammes of Colorado.

Other suspects were identified as Ebere Anthony, 55, from Delta State, who was allegedly arrested with 1.5kg of cannabis; Gift Oliseyenum, 31, also from Delta, who was found with 74 grammes of cannabis, 45 grammes of Loud, 2.5 grammes of Colorado and 4.7 grammes of methamphetamine; Boniface George, 27, from Delta, who had 195 grammes of cannabis; and Muzamilu Mustapha, 28, from Katsina State, who was arrested with 40 grammes of Loud and 80 grammes of cannabis.

Ofoyeju said Faustina Peter, 27, and Chucks Odili, 36, both from Delta State, were also arrested with 35 grammes of Loud, 10 grammes of Colorado and 0.8 grammes of methamphetamine.

He added that Anna Agbona, 17, from Edo State, was allegedly caught with 25 grammes of Tramadol, while Julius Enebuli, 42, from Delta State, was arrested with one kilogramme of cannabis, 65 grammes of Loud and 15 grammes of Colorado.

The NDLEA said investigations into the arrests and the ongoing manhunt for the suspected kingpin were continuing.