NDLEA Destroys 30-Hectare Cannabis Farm in Cross River, Arrests 191 Suspects

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed a 30-hectare cannabis sativa plantation hidden in a forest in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Speaking in Calabar on Saturday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the state Commander of the NDLEA, Mrs. Rachel Umebuali, confirmed that several suspects had been arrested in connection with the illegal farm. She expressed concern that local residents were shielding the drug syndicates by withholding information about their activities.

According to Umebuali, the operation led to the recovery of 163.9 kilograms of cannabis sativa seeds.

She further disclosed that between January and June this year, the command seized a total of 6,716.8 kilograms of various illicit drugs. Breaking down the figures, she said 2,935 kilograms of cannabis sativa were confiscated within the six-month period, alongside 129.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, 82.7 kilograms of psychotropic substances, 33.3 liters of cannabis mixtures, 47.7 kilograms of cocaine, 32.3 kilograms of heroin, 69.7 kilograms of opioids and barbiturates, and 5 grams of Ecstasy.

During the same period, the agency arrested 191 suspects, with 15 convictions already secured for drug-related offenses.

“What is particularly worrisome,” she noted, “is that many of these traffickers are not indigenes of Cross River. They come here, offer money to locals, and receive protection from exposure.”

Umebuali also highlighted the successful observance of this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, themed “The Evidence is Clear: Invest In Prevention,” which was organized with the active support of the state’s First Lady, Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu.

She added that the NDLEA had intensified advocacy and sensitization campaigns across the state.

“Between January and June, we conducted 191 awareness programmes in schools, markets, churches, mosques, and among civil society groups, all aimed at reducing drug abuse in our communities,” she said.

Despite these achievements, Umebuali stressed that the command continues to grapple with inadequate funding and logistics challenges.