The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, has raided an alleged “notorious drug hub” in Ewe Luleha community, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by Mitchell Ofoyeju, Commander of Narcotics, Edo State Command of the NDLEA, and made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

According to Ofoyeju, during the combined raid, sixty-five bags of dried weeds that tested positive for skunk cannabis, weighing six hundred and four kilogrammes (604.5 kg) were seized, adding that the command has “launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspected drug kingpin identified as Sunday.”

“We are tracking the suspected drug kingpin, Sunday, who is in hiding following the recovery of the 604.5kg of cannabis in the operation. He has nowhere to hide because we will certainly apprehend him,” Ofoyeju added.

The commander further disclosed that in a related development, nine suspected drug peddlers were apprehended across various hot spots in the state.

According to him, among the arrested suspects was Musa Muhammed, a 58-year-old grandfather from Bauchi State, who, according to Ofoyeju, was caught with “Cannabis sativa: 280 grams, Loud: 35 grams, Colorado: 1.4 grams.”

He added: “Ebere Anthony, 55 years old, from Delta, was arrested with Cannabis sativa 1.5kg; Gift Oliseyenum 31 years old, from Delta, was caught with Cannabis sativa 74 grams, Loud 45 grams, Colorado 2.5 grams, methamphetamine 4.7 grams; Boniface George 27 years old, from Delta, was found with Cannabis sativa: 195 grams; and Muzamilu Mustapha 28 years old, from Katsina, was arrested with Loud: 40 grams, and Cannabis sativa: 80 grams.

“Others are Faustina Peter 27 years old, and Chucks Odili 36 years old, both from Delta, were found with Loud 35 grams, Colorado 10 grams and methamphetamine 0.8 grams; Anna Agbona 17 years old, from Edo State, was caught with Tramado: 25 grams; and Julius Enebuli 42 years old, from Delta, was caught with Cannabis sativa: 1 kilogram, Loud: 65 grams, and Colorado: 15 grams.”