The Delta State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized illicit drugs estimated at more than N2 billion and secured 248 convictions between July 2025 and September 2026.
The NDLEA Commander in Delta, Halilu Hamidu, disclosed the figures during a press briefing in Ogwashi-Uku, where he presented the command’s operational achievements since assuming office in July 2025. He said 223 additional drug-related cases were still pending before various courts.
According to the command, a total of 2.446497 tonnes of solid drug exhibits were recovered during intelligence-led operations across the state. The seizures included cannabis, cannabis seeds, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, Molly, tramadol, diazepam and other psychotropic substances.
The NDLEA also reported recovering 1,304.630 litres of liquid drug exhibits, including more than 819 litres of codeine. Some of the major operations involved the interception of trucks and commercial buses carrying illicit substances along major highways linking Delta with neighbouring regions.
One notable operation was a raid on a warehouse at Oko Market in Asaba, where drugs with an estimated street value exceeding N150 million were recovered. Operatives also intercepted two commercial buses along the Onitsha-Asaba Expressway carrying substances valued at more than N300 million, according to the command.
Beyond drug seizures, the agency said it destroyed 36.2 hectares of cannabis farms in three operations at Emu-Obiogo, Obiaruku and Orogun between August 2025 and May 2026.
Hamidu said the command’s operations were focused on reducing the supply of illicit drugs while preventing more Nigerians, particularly young people, from becoming drug users through enforcement, public enlightenment, counselling and stakeholder collaboration.
The development highlights the scale of drug trafficking and cultivation challenges in Delta, a major transportation corridor connecting parts of the South-South and South-East.
The NDLEA’s Delta Command said its efforts would continue to target trafficking networks, cultivation sites and distribution points while supporting prevention and rehabilitation initiatives.
