Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered a massive cache of illicit drugs valued at more than N5.8 billion during a raid on a luxury mansion in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, in what authorities described as one of the agency’s major seizures in recent months.
The operation, carried out by the NDLEA Special Operations Unit on Friday, led to the recovery of 4,000 parcels of Loud, a highly potent imported strain of cannabis, weighing a total of 2,326 kilograms.
The drugs were discovered inside a mansion located at 36 African Lane, Lekki Phase 1.
According to the agency, the seized narcotics have an estimated street value of N5.815 billion.
NDLEA operatives also recovered two Mercedes-Benz buses and several designer packaging materials allegedly used for the retail distribution and repackaging of the drugs.
The agency said investigations are ongoing to uncover members of the syndicate linked to the operation.
In a separate operation in the Ijora Badia area of Lagos, NDLEA officers raided a makeshift factory producing skuchies, a dangerous psychoactive cocktail commonly made from cannabis, opioids and other harmful substances.
Two suspects identified as Bose Jamiu and Gbenga Gege were arrested at the scene while allegedly preparing the substance.
The agency disclosed that officers recovered 270 litres of already processed skuchies and 106 grams of Tramadol 225mg during the raid.
The anti-narcotics operations extended beyond Lagos.
In Nasarawa State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 38-year-old suspect, Emmanuel Osita Okeke, along the Nyanya-Karu axis with 129 kilograms of skunk.
Similarly, along the Okene-Lokoja highway in Kogi State, officers intercepted a commercial bus travelling to Abuja and recovered 766 kilograms of skunk concealed in 76 jumbo bags.
Three suspects — Mathew Omohove, Ebuka Desmond and Babangida Musa — were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Reacting to the successful operations, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the raids and arrests for their vigilance and commitment.
Marwa urged operatives nationwide to sustain the agency’s offensive against drug trafficking and abuse through intensified enforcement and public awareness campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse initiative.
The NDLEA has in recent months intensified nationwide crackdowns on drug trafficking networks, clandestine drug factories and interstate narcotics distribution channels as part of efforts to curb substance abuse and organised drug-related crimes across the country.