Edo shrine raid leads to seizure of 498kg cannabis

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has uncovered a large cache of cannabis allegedly hidden inside a shrine in Edo State, as part of an ongoing crackdown on illicit drug trafficking in the area.

The agency said operatives recovered 498 kilogrammes of skunk and cannabis seeds during a raid carried out in Igwe community, Owan East Local Government Area.

According to the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the operation followed intelligence reports linking the location to a suspected drug syndicate.

He explained that officers stormed the community on May 22 and discovered 59 bags of skunk weighing 489 kilogrammes, alongside nine kilogrammes of cannabis seeds allegedly stored inside the shrine.

Ofoyeju said the suspected leader of the operation, identified simply as Asrenre, escaped before the arrival of security personnel and is currently being tracked by the agency.

He added that some residents initially resisted the search, insisting the shrine was regarded as sacred.

“Some youths claimed the place housed their deities, but our officers proceeded with the operation and eventually uncovered the hidden drugs,” he said. in ni ju

The commander disclosed that the agency had launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspect while investigations continue to uncover other members of the network.

In another operation within the same community, NDLEA operatives arrested a 50-year-old suspect, Sunday Oghaimen, allegedly found with 945 grammes of cannabis and 19 grammes of tramadol.

A second suspect, 33-year-old Esther Igbafe, was also apprehended with 874 grammes of cannabis, 19 grammes of tramadol and three grammes of Swinol.

Ofoyeju said all exhibits had been secured while the suspects remained in custody pending further investigation.

He reiterated the agency’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse across Edo State.