The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized 589 bags of Canadian loud, a potent strain of cannabis weighing a total of 417.3kg and valued at N1,042,500,000 in street value, after raiding a hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, used as a front for drug distribution.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday, April 27, 2025, by Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja. Babafemi explained that the massive recovery was made after a thorough search of the 80-room, five-storey hotel building known as The Hook Hotel, also called Caesar Hotel and Caesar Lounge, located at 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street, off Elsie Femi Pearse Street, Victoria Island.
According to the statement, three suspects identified as Eze Ayitu, Ofuokwu Samuel, and Emmanuel Ameh were arrested during the operation, which took place between Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, 2025. Two other suspects, Noble Philip and his partner Kenneth, are currently on the run.
In addition to the large cannabis haul, the NDLEA also recovered several items believed to be proceeds of illicit drug trade, including a Toyota Prado Landcruiser Jeep (Lagos AKD 472 OZ), a Toyota Sienna (Lagos KJA 79 HJ), a Volkswagen Delivery Van (Lagos AAA 525 JE), a Kia Ceranto (Lagos BDG 860 GQ), and a Grand Caravan Dodge (Lagos APP 847 YF).
The operatives also found 74 new TV sets, 10 used TV sets, and 13 refrigerators among other household items.
The NDLEA’s latest bust highlights the agency’s ongoing crackdown on the drug trade, especially efforts to dismantle networks operating under the guise of legitimate businesses.
