The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has discovered a new, highly potent strain of cannabis known as “California Loud” in Lagos State, marking another alarming development in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against illicit drugs.
The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, made the disclosure during an appearance on This Morning, a programme aired on TVC News on Monday.
“Loud is another strain of cannabis, and it’s a very potent one, much stronger than what we have locally. That’s part of its attraction; the taste and effect are more intense, which is why many young people go for it,” Babafemi explained.
He added, “Recently in Lagos, we also discovered a new variant called California Loud. It’s a major challenge for us, and that’s why everyone, from families to communities, needs to get involved in curbing the spread.”
The revelation follows a recent NDLEA operation that dismantled a secret laboratory in Ajao Estate, Isolo, where a synthetic variant of cannabis, popularly called “Colorado,” was being manufactured inside a residential building.
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The operation led to the arrest of 30-year-old suspect, Stephen Imoh, after months of undercover intelligence work by NDLEA operatives.
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Babafemi described the synthetic drug as particularly harmful, saying, “The THC component is extracted from cannabis and mixed with other harmful chemicals, which is what makes it synthetic, and very dangerous.”
He further revealed that the arrested suspect had already sustained serious chemical burns from handling the substances used in the illegal process. “If you observe his body, his skin is peeling and discoloured due to the chemical reactions from the substances he handled,” he said.
Despite recent breakthroughs, Nigeria continues to face a growing wave of drug abuse and trafficking. NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), has reiterated the agency’s determination to sustain its crackdown on drug cartels.
Marwa assured that the NDLEA “will not relent in tracking, dismantling, and prosecuting individuals or groups involved in drug production and distribution,” emphasizing that offenders will be stripped of their illegal gains to curb the trade effectively.
