Crime

JUST IN; NDLEA destroys 30 hectares cannabis farmland in Cross river state

Published by admin on June 30th, 2025.

JUST IN; NDLEA destroys 30 hectares cannabis farmland in Cross river state

NDLEA Destroys 30 Hectares of Cannabis Farmland in Cross River State

Odukpani, Cross River State – June 28, 2025

In a major crackdown on illicit drug cultivation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed a 30-hectare cannabis plantation discovered deep within the Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. The operation, part of the agency’s ongoing offensive against narcotics production, also led to the seizure of 163.9 kilograms of cannabis seeds and the arrest of several suspects.

According to Mrs. Rachel Umebuali, the NDLEA State Commander, the raid was conducted following intelligence reports and field investigations. She expressed concern that some local residents had been aiding and protecting the operators of the illegal farm in exchange for financial compensation.

> “We found that the community was shielding these criminals. Most of them are not even from this state,” Umebuali said, emphasizing that the cannabis producers were exploiting the region’s forest cover and relative isolation.

This latest operation adds to a growing list of successful interventions by the NDLEA in Cross River. Between January and June 2025 alone, the agency seized over 6,716.8 kilograms of various illicit substances across the state. These include:

2,935 kg of cannabis sativa

129.6 kg of methamphetamine

82.7 kg of psychotropics

47.7 kg of cocaine

32.3 kg of heroin

69.7 kg of opioids and barbiturates

5 grams of ecstasy

In the same period, 191 suspects were arrested and 15 have been successfully prosecuted and convicted in court.

NDLEA’s efforts are not limited to enforcement. Commander Umebuali highlighted the agency’s proactive approach through advocacy and sensitization campaigns. So far in 2025, NDLEA has conducted 191 public awareness programs in schools, markets, churches, and mosques across the state. These efforts have been supported by key stakeholders, including the Cross River State First Lady, Rev. Eyoanwan Otu.

Despite the agency’s achievements, challenges remain. Umebuali noted that inadequate funding and logistics continue to hamper the full-scale implementation of NDLEA operations in rural and forested areas.

This operation follows a similar raid in May 2025, where NDLEA destroyed over 75,000 kilograms of high-potency “skunk” cannabis in both Cross River and Edo States. The recurring success of these operations reflects the agency’s intensified focus on dismantling large-scale cultivation networks across Nigeria.

As the NDLEA continues to clamp down on drug trafficking and cultivation, the agency is calling for increased community cooperation and government support to sustain the momentum in the war against illicit drugs.