The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has intercepted two articulated trucks loaded with 7,245 kilogrammes of skunk cannabis and arrested five suspects in a major operation.

State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, revealed this while presenting the confiscated drugs—estimated at ₦724.5 million—and the vehicles to journalists. He explained that the breakthrough followed 72 hours of intelligence gathering and surveillance, culminating in the operation carried out on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Describing the seizure as unprecedented, Ofoyeju noted it was the first time the command had simultaneously intercepted two trucks conveying illicit drugs, significantly disrupting an inter-state trafficking network.

He emphasized that the operation sends a strong warning that Edo State will not serve as a safe route for drug traffickers, adding that the large quantity seized highlights both the scale of the threat and the agency’s effectiveness in intelligence-led enforcement.

Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives intercepted the trucks along the Auchi–Abuja Road. Although the vehicles appeared to be transporting cartons of beer, a search uncovered concealed bags of processed cannabis. Tests later confirmed the substance as skunk, a highly potent variant of cannabis.

One of the trucks, bearing registration number OYO LUY 172 XC, contained 260 bags weighing 3,900 kilogrammes, while the second truck, OYO LUY 281 XC, carried 223 bags weighing 3,345 kilogrammes—bringing the total to 483 bags.

The suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abu, Abu Abdullazeez, Jibril Jaminu, Andrew Moses, and Ganiyu Abu, are natives of Etsako East and Etsako West Local Government Areas of Edo State.

Initial investigations indicate that the drugs originated from Sabongida-Ora in Owan West Local Government Area and were destined for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, before being intercepted.

The seized trucks and exhibits have been transferred to the NDLEA command headquarters in Benin City for further investigation and are expected to be forfeited as tools used in criminal activity.

Ofoyeju confirmed that efforts are ongoing to dismantle the trafficking network and apprehend other individuals involved. He also called on the public to assist the agency with timely and useful information.

According to the suspects, they were to be paid ₦10,000 per parcel upon successful delivery of the illicit consignment.