The growing spread of illicit cannabis cultivation in Edo State has come under fresh attack, with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) destroying five cannabis farms and arresting three suspected drug traffickers in a statewide operation.

The operation, which was carried out over the past two weeks, also led to the seizure of thousands of tablets and capsules of illicit drugs, including Tramadol, Diazepam and codeine-based cough syrup.

The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Benin, warning that cannabis cultivation was gradually taking over the state’s forests.

According to him, the five destroyed plantations covered a combined 2.269668 hectares, with an estimated yield of 5,674.17kg of cannabis.

He said two of the farms, covering 0.928744 hectares, were discovered at Monday Camp in Usen Forest, Ovia South West Local Council, while another two, measuring 1.004278 hectares, were found at Igwe-Oke Forest in Owan East Local Council.

The fifth farm, measuring 0.336646 hectares, was located at Ogboha Forest in Owan West Local Council.

Ofoyeju said the scale of the cultivation was a cause for concern, urging local government chairmen to work closely with the NDLEA to prevent the illicit trade from taking deeper root in their communities.

“Cannabis farms are gradually taking over our forests. We cannot continue this way because what began as a little garden is turning into a large plantation,” he said.

“These farms were destroyed in the past two weeks. Chairmen of local government councils are closer to the people, and we need their active collaboration.”

The commander said the forest raids also resulted in the arrest of a 39-year-old suspect, Sunday Segun, who was apprehended at the cannabis farm in Ogboha Forest.

Another suspect, Hassan Mohammed, was arrested at Bob-Izua Park, New Road, Okada, with 7.1kg of cannabis. Three knives and charms were also recovered from him.

Beyond the forest operations, the command recorded another major seizure during a patrol in Auchi, where officers intercepted a vehicle loaded with assorted illicit drugs.

The haul, according to Ofoyeju, included 590 bottles of codeine syrup, 50,000 capsules of Tramadol 100mg, 100 tablets of Tramadol 225mg and 25,000 tablets of Diazepam.

A 25-year-old suspect, identified as Jamie Zubaru, was arrested in connection with the consignment and is assisting the agency with further investigation.

Ofoyeju said the latest operations reflected the command’s determination to disrupt the cultivation, distribution and use of illicit drugs across the state.

He added that the NDLEA would continue to combine enforcement with community collaboration to curb the illicit drug trade, protect public safety and promote the health and wellbeing of residents.