The Edo State command of the National Drug law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) has arrested a 300-level female student of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Esther Abumere (28), with various illicit drugs.The state NDLEA commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this yesterday in Benin while briefing journalists on the achievements of the command as part of the activities to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Mitchell said the female student was among the suspects arrested between January and June, 2025 by the command.

Mitchell said the suspect was arrested on June 19, following the command’s onslaught against illicit drugs trafficking in the state.

“Abumere was found in possession of Colorado, a strong synthetic variant of cannabis weighing 31 grammes; Canadian loud, another strong variant of cannabis, 763 grammes; and Tramadol 100 mg, 125 capsules (50 grammes), Tramadol 200 mg, 35 tablets (20 grammes).

“Others include Tramadol 225 mg, 125 tablets (92 grammes), totalling 162 grammes.

‘’Other drugs found at the supermarket are Swinol 146 tablets (56 grammes), Rohypnol 93 tablets (30 grammes) and 56 tablets of Molly (25 grammes),” he said.

He said the suspect, who operates a supermarket, claimed he indulged in the act of drug trafficking to offset the loan she collected from a microfinance bank.

He said within the period, the agency intercepted 53,520.80 kg of drugs with an estimated street value of N777,000,000 million.

In an interview with journalists, the suspect said she was arrested at her shop located near the institution at about 5pm on June 19.

The suspect said she was getting the drugs from dispatch riders, who usually brought the drugs to her shop located near the Edo State University, Ekpoma.

“I lived in Lagos before, that is how people are doing drugs there. So, when I came back to Benin, I decided to start doing the business here,” she said.

She regretted indulging in illicit drugs trafficking, saying her arrest has taught her a lesson. (Daily Trust)