By Obasola Olatunde
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a clandestine laboratory producing “Colorado,” a potent synthetic strain of cannabis, inside a residential building at Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos State, marking a major breakthrough in its anti narcotics operations.
The raid, conducted after months of surveillance, led to the arrest of 30 year old Stephen Kelechi Imoh, identified as the owner of the illegal lab. NDLEA operatives recovered 16.2 kilogrammes of freshly produced Colorado (“Colos”), 91 litres of Dibromobutane, and other precursor chemicals used in the production of the psychoactive substance.
NDLEA Spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the operation confirmed that the production of the synthetic drug previously imported into Nigeria had now shifted to local manufacturing.
In a separate operation in Mushin, Lagos, the agency arrested a 28 year old dealer, Afeez Salisu (alias Malu), with 16.4 kilogrammes of Ghana Loud and bottles of Colorado.
Also arrested was a rising music artist, Godspower George Osahenrumwen (aka Steady Boy), who allegedly attempted to collect a 77.2kg consignment of “Loud” concealed inside bathtubs imported from the United States. The suspect was picked up in Lekki, while his manager, Zion Osazee Omigie (alias Zee Money), remains at large.
NDLEA said the seizures were part of nationwide operations that also led to the interception of over 532,000 pills of Tramadol, 1,779kg of skunk in Ogun State, and 2,829kg in Ondo State, with arrests recorded in Kaduna, Edo, Kwara, Bauchi, and Taraba States.
Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers for their professionalism and renewed the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug syndicates and ensuring that all proceeds of illicit drug trade are forfeited to the Federal Government.