NDLEA Discovers Edo Drug Warehouse, Arrests Couple Over Huge Cannabis Seizure

(The Suspects. Photo by Nigeria News Headline)

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State have uncovered a suspected drug warehouse in Benin City, leading to the arrest of a husband and wife allegedly involved in the storage and distribution of illicit substances.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju.

According to Ofoyeju, the operation was carried out at a residential building along Sapele Road following credible intelligence on the alleged drug trafficking activities of the occupants.

The suspects, identified as Christian Chukwuka, 32, and his wife, Nwanneka Christian, 33, both natives of Ndokwa, Delta State, were apprehended during the raid.

The NDLEA said officers recovered 22 bags of skunk cannabis weighing 219.5 kilograms, as well as compressed blocks of Canadian Loud, a highly potent synthetic cannabis strain, weighing 192.67 kilograms, bringing the total quantity of drugs seized during the operation to 412.17 kilograms.

Ofoyeju described the operation as another major breakthrough in the agency's campaign against drug trafficking and substance abuse in the state, stressing that the agency's efforts to combat drug trafficking remain unwavering and that the case would be thoroughly investigated to ensure justice is served.

Speaking after his arrest, one of the suspects, Christian Chukwuka, attributed his alleged involvement in the illicit trade to financial hardship and unemployment.

He explained that he is a secondary school graduate and a truck driver, but that joblessness led a friend to introduce him to drug trafficking, adding that he and his wife have twins to cater for and that the financial pressure had become overwhelming.

He said that if given another chance, he would not return to the trade.

The NDLEA commander disclosed that investigations are ongoing, adding that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of the probe.

He described the seizure as one of the agency's most significant drug interceptions in Edo State this year and reaffirmed the NDLEA's commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and safeguarding communities from the dangers of illicit narcotics.