Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have raided a drug warehouse in Benin City, arresting a couple allegedly involved in illicit drug trafficking and recovering large quantities of skunk cannabis and Canadian Loud.
The State Commander of the NDLEA, Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed the development in a statement made available to journalists on Monday.
According to Ofoyeju, the suspects, Christian Chukwuka, 32, and Nwanneka Christian, 33, both from Ndokwa in Delta State, were arrested during the operation at a warehouse along Sapele Road, where they allegedly stored and distributed narcotic drugs.
He said NDLEA operatives recovered 22 bags of skunk cannabis weighing 219.5 kilograms and compressed blocks of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of synthetic cannabis, weighing 192.67 kilograms during the raid.
Ofoyeju said the successful operation followed credible intelligence on the couple’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
“The successful operation was carried out following credible intelligence received on the notorious criminal activities of the suspected couple. The arrest and seizure reflect our sustained efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse,” he said.
The NDLEA commander disclosed that one of the suspects, Christian Chukwuka, allegedly told investigators that poverty and unemployment pushed him into the illicit drug trade.
According to Ofoyeju, the suspect, a secondary school graduate, said he learned truck driving but turned to drug trafficking after a friend introduced him to the business because he could not secure a job.
He also reportedly said the financial responsibility of caring for his wife and their set of twins influenced his decision, while pleading for another chance and promising to abandon the illegal trade.
Ofoyeju said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
