The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a clandestine laboratory producing Colorado (Colos)—a potent synthetic cannabis strain—in a residential building at Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos. The operation, which resulted in the arrest of 30-year-old Stephen Kelechi Imoh, marked the discovery of one of the first local manufacturing sites for the dangerous substance in Nigeria.
Intelligence-Led Operation Exposes Local Drug Production
Months of sustained intelligence work by NDLEA operatives preceded the raid, following the interception of multiple Colos consignments in Lagos earlier this year. These seizures suggested that the previously imported psychoactive drug had begun to be manufactured locally.
On Thursday, 30 October 2025, operatives stormed the apartment used as a production base, recovering 16.2kg of freshly prepared Colos and large quantities of chemicals, including ADB-CHMNACA cannabinol, potassium carbonate, and 91 litres of dibromobutane. The discovery underscored growing sophistication and local experimentation within Nigeria’s illicit drug network.
In a related Lagos raid on Saturday, 1 November, NDLEA officers arrested a 28-year-old suspected dealer, Afeez Salisu, in Mushin and confiscated compressed blocks of Ghana Loud and designer Colorado products weighing 16.4kg.
Interceptions at MMIA and Nationwide Raids
Another major operation led to the arrest of music artist Godspower George Osahenrumwen, known as Steady Boy, who attempted to receive cannabis concealed in bathtubs shipped from New York. The consignment—140 bags of Loud weighing 77.2kg—had arrived via DHL at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. His manager, identified as Zion Osazee “Zee Money” Omigie, is currently at large.
Across other states, NDLEA continued its crackdown:
Kaduna: 84,710 tramadol capsules seized; multiple arrests, including a vehicle transporting 32,946 bottles of Akuskura and 131.5kg of skunk.
Ogun: Three suspects intercepted with 1,779kg of skunk traced from Benin Republic.
Kwara: 532,600 tablets of tramadol and Exol-5 seized.
Bauchi: Arrest of syndicate linked to 596.4kg of skunk.
Edo & Ondo: Over 4.2 tonnes of cannabis seized in multiple raids.
Lagos (Badagry): 76.5 litres of skuchies confiscated.
Taraba: Methamphetamine and tramadol recovered in transit to Adamawa.
These operations highlight NDLEA’s expanded nationwide footprint and coordinated disruption of trafficking networks.
NDLEA Strengthens Drug War and Public Education
Alongside enforcement, the NDLEA intensified community sensitisation under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative. Schools, worship centres, and communities across states including Lagos, Oyo, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Kano received anti-drug education.
NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) commended officers for their efforts, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug cartels and seizing criminal assets.
“We will continue to target and dismantle every identified drug syndicate, and ensure they forfeit the proceeds of their illegal trade,” Marwa stated.
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