The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a large quantity of suspected illicit drugs concealed in a warehouse in Benin City and arrested a husband and wife allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
The state Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the suspects, identified as Christian Chukwuka, 32, and his wife, Nwanneka Christian, 33, were arrested at a residential building along Sapele Road where the drugs were concealed.
According to him, operatives raided the warehouse and recovered 22 bags of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 219.5 kilogrammes, as well as compressed blocks of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 192.67 kilogrammes.
Ofoyeju described the arrest and seizure as a reflection of the growing challenge of drug trafficking and substance abuse in the state.
He said the suspects, who are from Ndokwa in Delta State, were arrested at the warehouse where they allegedly operated their illicit drug business.
According to him, the operation followed credible intelligence on the couple’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
One of the suspects, Christian Chukwuka, blamed poverty and unemployment for his involvement in the illicit trade.
‘I learnt how to drive trucks, but because of joblessness, a friend introduced me to drug trafficking. My wife delivered a set of twins, and the responsibility of caring for them also forced me into drug trafficking,’ he said.
The suspect, who pleaded for another chance, promised to abandon the illegal business.