Lagos drug cartel loses 80-bed hotel, vehicles, other assets to FG

By Ibironke Ariyo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the final forfeiture of a multi-billion naira 80-room hotel and lounge in Victoria Island, Lagos being used as a cover for distribution of illicit substances to the Federal Government.

The 80-room hotel which was raided between April 25, and April 26, by NDLEA operatives was forfeited to the Federal Government along with other assets by a drug trafficking cartel, NDLEA Director Media and Advocacy, NDELA, Mr Femi Babafemi said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Babafemi said the forfeiture of the hotels and other assets by the drug cartel was another high-impact breakthrough in the agency ongoing war against illicit drug trafficking across Nigeria.

He said operatives of the NDLEA, after hours of combing the rooms of the hotels recovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis when it was raided.

According to him, this is with a total weight of 417.3 kilograms, which worth N1.042 billion in street value.

“The landed property situated at No. 16 Waziri Ibrahim St. off Elsie Femi Pearse Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, was forfeited along with other items.

“Items include Toyota Sienna vehicle marked KJA 79 HJ, Volkswagen delivery van numbered AAA 525 JE, KIA Ceranto car with plate number BDG 860 GQ, black-coloured Land Cruiser Prado with plate number AKD 472 DZ

“Red Colour Grand Caravan Dodge with plate number APP 847 YF, white coloured-Mazda Bus marked KTU 241 AAA, Mercedes Benz Truck with registration number ASB 500 XY

“Gold Colour Toyota Corolla Car with registration number EKY 295 JT, Ash coloured Sienna Mini Bus, 84 Television Sets, 70 Air conditioners and 13 New fridges, “he said.

Babafemi said that the final forfeiture orders were issued on July 18, by Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala following the motion number FHC/L/MISC/447/2025 filed by NDLEA.

Reacting to the forfeiture court judgments, NDELA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa(Rtd), commended the people who handled the various cases.

Marwa also commended the judiciary for delivering swift judgments that reinforced the deterrent impact of the NDLEA’s efforts

“Nothing serves the cause of justice more than when the criminals are made to forfeit all they have acquired through the proceeds of their illicit drug trade.

“We’re happy with this kind of judicial pronouncements, which will not only encourage our men to do more but will have long-lasting impact on our drug control efforts,” he said.(NAN)