Posted by AI on 2026-02-08 18:00:03 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-08 19:30:06
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In a significant blow to the illicit drug trade, Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a clandestine synthetic cannabis laboratory in Oyo State, marking a critical juncture in the agency's intensified crackdown on drug production and trafficking. This operation, conducted in Badeku, Ibadan, on February 7, 2026, led to the arrest of a suspected drug kingpin and the seizure of crucial production materials.
The NDLEA's swift action in Oyo State is part of a broader strategy to combat the rising tide of drug abuse and organized trafficking networks. The agency's media statement reveals a comprehensive list of seizures, including eight litres of precursor chemicals, 14 grams of skunk, and Colorado cannabis production equipment. This bust underscores the agency's commitment to disrupting the supply chain of synthetic drugs, which are increasingly becoming a public health concern.
The recent success in Oyo State is just one facet of the NDLEA's extensive operations. In the South-East, a couple was apprehended with a substantial 203 kilograms of skunk in Imo State, while a separate operation in Ondo State yielded another 420 kilograms of the same substance. These seizures indicate a worrying trend of large-scale cannabis trafficking across regional boundaries. Moreover, the arrest of a suspect with high-grade synthetic cannabis variants in Lagos and the recovery of various drugs and cash in Enugu State further emphasize the NDLEA's proactive approach.
With the NDLEA's intelligence-led operations expanding, the agency aims to disrupt both local drug production and international trafficking networks. As the war on drugs intensifies, the NDLEA's efforts are crucial in safeguarding public health, economic stability, and national security, as highlighted by the agency's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi. The ongoing operations demonstrate the NDLEA's dedication to tackling Nigeria's evolving drug landscape, which includes concerns about the country's role in regional opioid trafficking.