NDLEA destroys 30 hectares of cannabis in Cross River, seizes over 6,700kg of drugs and arrests 191 suspects between January and June 2025
NDLEA destroys cannabis farm spanning 30 hectares in Cross River State, marking a major breakthrough in the ongoing war against illicit drug cultivation and trafficking.
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency made the discovery in a remote forest in Odukpani local government area, where officers uprooted and destroyed large quantities of cannabis sativa, commonly known as Indian hemp. Several suspects linked to the illegal operation were also arrested during the raid.
Speaking in Calabar, the state Commander of the NDLEA, Mrs Rachel Umebuali, expressed concern that some community members were actively shielding drug traffickers from law enforcement. She revealed that 163.9 kilograms of cannabis sativa seeds were recovered from the plantation.
According to Umebuali, “The locals are protecting these drug merchants by refusing to give out information. This makes our work harder and enables criminal networks to thrive.”
In addition to the recent plantation bust, Umebuali disclosed that a total of 6,716.8 kilograms of illicit drugs were seized by the command between January and June 2025.
Out of this figure, 2,935 kilograms were cannabis sativa, followed by 129.6 kilograms of methamphetamine and 47.7 kilograms of cocaine.
Other substances included 82.7 kilograms of psychotropic drugs, 69.7 kilograms of opioids and barbiturates, 32.3 kilograms of heroin, 33.3 litres of cannabis mixture, and 5 grams of ecstasy.
The agency also recorded the arrest of 191 suspects and the conviction of 15 individuals within the six-month period under review.
Umebuali noted that most of those involved in drug peddling were not natives of Cross River but relied on local complicity to hide their operations.
She added that the NDLEA has ramped up advocacy efforts with support from the state first lady, Mrs Eyoanwan Otu.
The command recently concluded activities for the annual International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, themed “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”
“Between January and June, we conducted 191 sensitisation campaigns in schools, markets, churches, mosques and with NGOs. These programmes are essential in curbing the rise of drug abuse in our communities,” she said.
However, the commander lamented that the agency’s work continues to be hampered by inadequate funding and logistics.
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Despite these constraints, she reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to intensifying enforcement and awareness across Cross River State.
