NDLEA discovers new cannabis variant in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has uncovered a new strain of cannabis known as “California Loud” in Lagos State.This revelation follows the recent discovery of a secret laboratory used for producing Colorado — a potent synthetic variant of cannabis — inside a residential building in Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos.The operation led to the arrest of a 30-year-old suspect, Stephen Imoh, after months of surveillance and intelligence gathering.The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the emergence of California Loud while featuring on This Morning, a programme on TVC News, on Monday.According to him, “Loud is another strain of cannabis. It is a potent one that is stronger than what we have here. That’s the attraction. The taste is usually stronger and more potent. That’s why young people go for these two.”“Recently in Lagos, we have also discovered a new variant coming in, which is called ‘California Loud’.“It is really a big challenge on our hands. This is why everyone needs to get involved—whether at the family level, community, or society at large,” he added.Elaborating on the earlier bust of the Colorado laboratory, Babafemi explained the dangers of the synthetic drug and its impact on those involved in its production.“The THC comes from the cannabis itself. Then they bring some other chemicals and mix them with the THC. That’s what makes it synthetic, meaning it’s not just one substance, which makes it very dangerous,” he said.He further revealed that the suspect had already begun suffering the physical consequences of exposure to the chemicals used in the process.“If you look at the skin of the young man, he’s already suffering from skin pigmentation. His skin is peeling off as a result of the effects of the chemicals he came in contact with during production,” Babafemi noted.Despite frequent arrests and the dismantling of drug syndicates across the country, Nigeria continues to grapple with the scourge of illicit drug use and trafficking.The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), has repeatedly vowed that the agency will sustain its efforts to identify and dismantle all drug cartels operating within Nigeria.He maintained that the NDLEA would continue to ensure that offenders are stripped of their illicit gains.In Sunday’s NDLEA statement, Marwa was quoted as vowing that the agency would deny those involved in illicit drugs any benefits or proceeds by ensuring that they forfeit all traceable assets to the Federal Government.

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