The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised serious concern over the growing involvement of women in drug trafficking in Edo State, attributing the trend to rising socio-economic vulnerability and the weakening of family values.
Speaking in Benin City during the decoration ceremony of 73 newly promoted officers, the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, revealed that women accounted for the majority of suspects arrested in the state in July.
According to him, a total of 49 suspected drug traffickers were arrested during the month, including 29 women. Operatives also seized 2,596.29 kilograms of various illicit drugs.
Ofoyeju stated that the command is developing strategies focused on family value reorientation as part of broader efforts to address this disturbing development.
He highlighted several operational successes recorded by the agency, including the discovery of three warehouses stocked with assorted illicit drugs and the interception of two vehicles — a Toyota Sienna with registration number NND 975 AG and a Toyota Camry with registration number BEN 503 BK — allegedly used to transport cannabis.
The commander further disclosed that officers destroyed a cannabis plantation measuring about 0.64 hectares in Egbisi Forest, Abudu, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area. The farm was estimated to have the capacity to produce approximately 1,602.26 kilograms of cannabis.
“The destruction of this farm represents a crucial victory in the NDLEA’s mission to dismantle drug production operations within Edo State,” Ofoyeju said. He added that the command also secured convictions in four drug-related cases during the period, describing the achievements as clear evidence of the agency’s sustained crackdown on narcotics.
Ofoyeju commended the dedication of officers and noted that the recent successes had boosted morale, positioning the command to intensify operations against drug cartels operating within the state.
He congratulated the 73 newly promoted officers and urged them to remain committed to the agency’s mandate of combating drug trafficking and substance abuse.