The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has destroyed a large cannabis plantation spanning 30 hectares in a forest located within Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.
State Commander of the NDLEA, Mrs. Rachel Umebuali, disclosed this during an interview in Calabar on Saturday, noting that several suspects were arrested in connection with the illicit farm.
“We are concerned that some members of the local communities are shielding these drug dealers. This makes our work even more difficult,” Umebuali said.
She revealed that the command recovered 163.9 kilograms of cannabis seeds from the destroyed farm, alongside other seizures made during the first half of the year.
According to her, “Between January and June 2025, the command seized a total of 6,716.8kg of various illicit substances.”
Breaking down the figures, she stated that the command confiscated 2,935kg of cannabis sativa, 129.6kg of methamphetamine, 82.7kg of psychotropic substances, 33.3 liters of cannabis mixture, 47.7kg of cocaine, 32.3kg of heroin, 69.7kg of opioids and barbiturates, and 5 grams of Ecstasy.
In addition, 191 individuals were arrested for drug-related offenses within the same period, and 15 persons have been convicted.
“What is particularly troubling is that many of the drug traffickers are not from Cross River. They come from outside the state and collaborate with locals who accept money to protect their operations,” the commander said.
Mrs. Umebuali also highlighted the agency’s efforts in public education, stating that 191 sensitisation campaigns were carried out across schools, churches, mosques, marketplaces, and with civil society organisations.
She acknowledged the support of the state’s First Lady, Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu, in championing the fight against drug abuse. “With the First Lady’s backing, we successfully observed the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking under the theme: ‘The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.’”
However, Umebuali noted that the agency continues to face serious challenges, especially in the areas of funding and logistics. “Despite our achievements, inadequate funding and limited logistics remain a major hindrance to our operations,” she said.
She called for increased community cooperation and support from stakeholders to strengthen the agency’s work in combating drug-related crimes in the state.
