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The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says that it has arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers and seized 9,520kg of illicit drugs in September.
The command also declared a suspected drug baron, Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, alias Omega, wanted over alleged drug-related offences.
His Toyota Matrix car, narcotics and cash were among the exhibits confiscated by the agency.
The State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in the command’s monthly operational scorecard, noting that the agency had sustained its efforts in drug law enforcement, rehabilitation of drug users and public education on the dangers of substance abuse.
Ofoyeju noted that the arrests were made possible through several intelligence-led operations as mandated by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd) CON.
According to him, “Out of the 42 suspects arrested, 22 are females, while 20 are males. One suspected notorious drug trafficker, Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, aka Omega, who narrowly escaped arrest, had been declared wanted.
“His salesgirl, Ojugo Mercy, 26 years old, was nabbed with assorted drugs: Loud 989 grams, Colorado 13 grams and methamphetamine 83 grams.”
“Mudiaga reportedly fled, leaving behind his black Toyota Matrix car.
“Exhibits recovered from the car include 65 grams of cannabis and N1.16 million as well as 55 Ethiopian birr, which had been documented as an instrument of crime.
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“Mudiaga can run, but he certainly has no hiding place because the command has been mandated by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer to find and prosecute him accordingly.”
He also decried the rising number of females in illicit drug trafficking in the state.
The enforcement actions by the command resulted in the seizure of 9,520 kilograms of illicit substances, which included 9,248.2575 kg of cannabis plantations destroyed and 271.92348 kg of other drugs intercepted.
This breakdown, according to Ofoyeju, includes 245.29 kg of Cannabis Sativa, 25.97 kg of psychotropic substances, 0.66 kg of methamphetamine, and 62.6 litres of codeine syrup.
He said the NDLEA identified and destroyed 10 cannabis farms spanning an area of 3.699303 hectares with an estimated yield of 9,248.2575 kg, illustrating the agency’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and its underlying causes.
He said the command also secured three convictions and currently has 83 ongoing cases, emphasising the command’s rehabilitation efforts by counselling 28 clients and offering vocational training, including skills in tailoring, embroidery, and liquid soap production, aimed at facilitating lasting reintegration into society.
He said that the command remained resolute in its battle against the drug problem in the state and called for support from all stakeholders to effectively address the challenges of drug trafficking and abuse.
