National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives seized 498 kg [1] of cannabis hidden inside a shrine in Edo State, Nigeria.
The discovery highlights the evolving tactics of drug traffickers who use religious sites to evade detection by security forces. By concealing narcotics in places of worship, traffickers attempt to exploit the perceived sanctity of these locations to avoid police searches.
During the operation, NDLEA officials arrested two suspects [1]. The agency said the cannabis was concealed within the shrine's premises to hide it from authorities. The seizure is part of a broader effort by the agency to curb the illegal drug trade across the region.
While two individuals are in custody, a drug baron managed to evade capture. The NDLEA has launched a manhunt to locate and arrest the fleeing suspect. The agency has not released the names of the arrested individuals or the identity of the targeted drug baron.
This operation follows other significant interceptions in the region. In a separate incident, officials intercepted 483 bags of cannabis with an estimated value of N724.5 million [2]. These combined efforts reflect the agency's ongoing campaign to dismantle trafficking networks in Edo State.
NDLEA officials said the agency will continue to monitor suspected hubs of illegal activity to prevent the distribution of controlled substances. The operatives said that no location, including religious shrines, is exempt from law enforcement scrutiny if used for criminal activity.
“NDLEA operatives seized 498 kg of cannabis hidden inside a shrine in Edo State”
The use of a religious shrine as a storage facility for nearly 500 kg of cannabis indicates a high level of confidence by traffickers that such sites are rarely raided. This shift in concealment strategy may force the NDLEA to expand its surveillance and search parameters, potentially increasing tensions between law enforcement and traditional religious practitioners in Edo State.
