NDLEA Destroys 30-Hectare Cannabis Farm in Cross River

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed a 30-hectare cannabis farm in Esuk-Odot village, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The operation, carried out earlier this week, resulted in the destruction of over 75,000 kilograms of cannabis plants and the seizure of an additional 200 kilograms of processed cannabis.

According to the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the raid was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle drug cultivation networks operating in remote regions. He stated that the plantation, concealed deep in the forest, was uncovered following weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.

Babafemi said the scale of the destruction marked one of the largest seizures by the agency in recent times and reinforced its commitment to eradicating illicit drug operations across the country.

He confirmed that while no arrests were made during the operation, investigations were underway to identify and apprehend the owners and financiers of the illegal farm.

In a related operation in Edo State, the NDLEA also destroyed nearly 2,000 kilograms of cannabis cultivated in forests around Ohosu in Ovia South West and Okhuse in Owan West Local Government Areas.

The agency said the raids, which took place between May 23 and 24, were part of a broader campaign targeting cannabis cultivation hubs in southern Nigeria.

Community leaders in Cross River commended the NDLEA for the successful operation and called for greater government support to provide alternative livelihoods for farmers who may turn to cannabis cultivation out of economic desperation.

The NDLEA has vowed to intensify efforts across all states, warning drug cartels and illegal cultivators that it will continue to deploy all available resources to eliminate the production and distribution of narcotics in Nigeria.