The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted cannabis valued at N724.5 million and arrested five suspects in a major anti-drug operation.

The state commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing in Benin City, stating that the seizure involved 483 bags of cannabis weighing 7,245 kilogrammes.

According to him, the illicit drugs were concealed in two articulated trucks disguised as vehicles used for transporting alcoholic beverages.

The suspects arrested include Ibrahim Abu, 29; Abu Abdullazeez, 28; Jibril Jaminu, 35; Andrew Moses, 22; and Ganiyu Abu, 21, all from Etsako East and Etsako West Local Government Areas of Edo State.

Ofoyeju described the operation as a significant breakthrough, noting that it marked the first time the command intercepted two fully loaded trucks of illegal drugs simultaneously.

He said the first truck carried 260 bags weighing 3,900 kilogrammes, while the second conveyed 223 bags weighing 3,345 kilogrammes, bringing the total to 7,245 kilogrammes.

Preliminary investigations, he added, indicate that the consignment originated from Sabongida-Ora in Owan West Local Government Area and was being transported to the Federal Capital Territory.

Ofoyeju said the interception prevented what could have been widespread distribution across Abuja and parts of north-central Nigeria.

He noted that the trucks and seized drugs have been moved to the NDLEA command headquarters for further investigation, adding that the vehicles would be confiscated as instruments of crime.

The commander assured that efforts were ongoing to uncover the wider network behind the trafficking operation and bring all those involved to justice.

He also called on the public to support the agency with credible information, stressing that the success aligns with the zero-tolerance policy of the NDLEA leadership under Mohamed Buba Marwa.