The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully destroyed a sprawling 30-hectare cannabis farm in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. The destruction was announced by the NDLEA state commander, Mrs. Rachel Umebuali, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, June 28, 2025 ¹ ².
Key Highlights of the Operation
- *Quantity of Cannabis Destroyed*: 30 hectares of cannabis sativa farm were destroyed in the operation.
- *Suspects Arrested*: Some suspects were arrested in connection with the destroyed plantation, with Umebuali expressing concerns that locals were protecting the drug merchants.
- *Cannabis Seeds Recovered*: 163.9kg of cannabis sativa seeds were recovered from the plantation ² ¹.
NDLEA's Efforts Against Illicit Drugs
The NDLEA command in Cross River State has been actively working to combat drug trafficking and abuse in the region. Between January and June 2025, the command seized a total of 6,716.8kg of illicit drugs, including ³ ⁴:
- *Cannabis Sativa*: 2,935kg
- *Methamphetamine*: 129.6kg
- *Psychotropic Substances*: 82.7kg
- *Cocaine*: 47.7kg
- *Heroine*: 32.3kg
- *Opioids and Barbiturates*: 69.7kg
- *Ecstasy*: 5 grams
Arrests and Convictions
The NDLEA command also reported arresting 191 persons and convicting 15 individuals for various drug-related offenses between January and June 2025. Umebuali noted that most of the drug peddlers are not indigenes of the state, but rather outsiders who exploit local protection ³.
