NDLEA uncovers illicit drug laboratory in Lagos

•Arrests suspects, Intercepts UK-bound skunk
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered a secret laboratory producing a deadly illicit substance, Methamphetamine, in a residential community located in Ikeja, Lagos State, where packaged sachets of the drug and various precursor chemicals used in the production were recovered.

Methamphetamine is a potent central nervous system stimulant that is mainly used as a recreational drug and less commonly as a second-line treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity.

The clandestine laboratory located at No. 4 Bode Oluwo Street, Mende, Maryland, Ikeja, was stormed by anti-narcotics officers of the agency on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, after credible intelligence and surveillance confirmed the illicit substance was being produced in the building.

Spokesperson for the agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement, yesterday, said after the search, one kilogramme of already produced and packaged methamphetamine, quantities of precursor chemicals and other items used for the production of the deadly drug were recovered from the house, while efforts are on to apprehend the fleeing owner of the house.

Similarly, officers of the Lagos Command of the Agency on Monday, June 5, 2023, arrested two suspects: Wasiu Saliu and Afolabi Banjo with 247 kilogrammes of skunk at Oyingbo area of Lagos, while Tijani Damilola was nabbed at Isheri with 12.5 litres of skuchies and 98kg of Cannabis sativa belonging to a fleeing suspect recovered at Akerele area of Agege just as 12.5kg of the same substance was seized from Adebowale Babatunde after his arrest at Mushin on Thursday, June 8.

Skuchies is a cocktail of drugs, including cannabis sativa, tramadol tablets, codeine, swifnol, among others.

Skunk is made from from unpollinated cannabis plants, which naturally contain higher levels of THC – the substance that gives recreational users the ‘stoned’ feelings they seek from the drug, but can also cause nasty side effects, including paranoia and hallucinations.

Meanwhile, a consignment of 3.20kg skunk concealed in native black soap heading to the United Kingdom (UK) has been intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Wednesday, June 7, and a freight agent involved in the attempt to export the illicit drug, Olowokudejo Oladele Tonyi, arrested.

Similarly, a bid to export 3,000 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed inside women hair attachments to Monrovia, Liberia, by a cargo agent, Akinwale Taiwo Bolutife, through the MMIA was thwarted by operatives who arrested him during the outward clearance of passengers at departure gate of terminal 2 of the Lagos airport.

In Benue State, a suspect, Emmanuel Onah, was arrested on Thursday, June 8, during a routine stop and search of vehicles at the Vandeikya check point with a total of 61,790 pills of tramadol seized from him, while another suspect, Ikenna Jonathan Udeze, was nabbed at Otuo-Agor, Owan East Local Council of Edo State with 208kg Cannabis hidden in his Toyota Camry car marked ABJ 117 MR.

About 235 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 23.5 litres and 1,500 pills of tramadol and swinol were recovered on Friday, June 9 from Agara Ogbonna, 35, along Owerri – Onitsha expressway, Imo State, just as operatives in Ondo State arrested two suspects: Friday Augustine, 25, and Segun Akintudoye, 20, with 30kg Cannabis at B-Ali Junction, Idanre and 10.4kg of the same substance recovered from the home of a fleeing suspect at Oke Odowo, Idanre on Tuesday, June 6, when operatives raided some drug joints in the town.

In Kebbi State, Alin Bala, 45, and Danzaki Alhaji, 52, were arrested on Thursday, June 8, at Goran Maiyaki, Gwandu Local Government Area (LGA) with 5.9kg Cannabis and 3,792 tablets of diazepam, while 18-year-old Babangida Mande was nabbed on Friday, June 9, along Mararaban Yauri-Kebbi road, with 6kg Cannabis and 658 tablets of diazepam.

Diazepam is used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and seizures. It is also used to relieve muscle spasms and to provide sedation before medical procedures.

In Osun State, a total of 115.9kg of Cannabis was recovered from Adewole Abidemi, 31, arrested at Araromi Oke Odo in Ife South Local Council, while Raji Musa, 25, and Alominile Folashade, 34, were nabbed at Gbokuta village in the same council, on Monday, June 5.

Reacting, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended officers and men of the MMIA, Lagos, Imo, Kebbi, Osun, Benue, Edo and Ondo Commands for the seizures and arrests of the past week.

He charged them and their counterparts across the country to remain vigilant and keep their focus on the corporate goal of the agency.