NDLEA Seizes N1 Billion Worth of Drugs in 80-Room Hotel Raid

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have confiscated illicit drugs valued at over N1 billion during a major raid on an 80-room hotel in Lagos State. The operation took place over the weekend following intelligence reports linking the hotel to large-scale drug trafficking activities.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the operation targeted a hotel located in the vicinity of Lagos Island, where the agency had been monitoring suspicious activities for several weeks. The hotel, which appeared to operate normally on the surface, was allegedly a hub for storing, distributing, and selling various illegal narcotics.

During the raid, NDLEA officers uncovered a wide assortment of illegal drugs hidden across different rooms and compartments within the facility. Among the substances seized were cocaine, methamphetamine, cannabis, and other controlled drugs. Babafemi disclosed that several suspects, including hotel staff and patrons, were arrested on the scene and are currently undergoing interrogation.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the hotel was deliberately structured to facilitate drug-related operations. Many rooms were reportedly used as storage centers, while some sections served as distribution points where illicit substances were sold in large quantities. The NDLEA described the operation as one of its most significant seizures in Lagos in recent times, emphasizing the growing sophistication of drug traffickers in urban areas.

The agency revealed that the raid was the culmination of extensive surveillance and undercover work. Officers had posed as customers to gather evidence before the full operation was launched. Babafemi stated that the hotel had no formal records of guest registration, which allowed traffickers to operate discreetly without drawing attention from law enforcement agencies.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the operatives for their diligence and commitment. He reiterated the agency’s determination to dismantle drug networks across the country. Marwa stressed that the NDLEA would continue to intensify operations, especially in urban centers where traffickers are increasingly embedding their activities within legitimate businesses.

The agency also warned hotel owners and managers across Nigeria to ensure that their establishments are not used for criminal activities. According to Marwa, any facility found to be aiding and abetting drug trafficking would be liable to legal action, including asset forfeiture to the federal government.

As of Monday, the suspects arrested during the hotel raid were still in NDLEA custody and assisting with ongoing investigations. The agency indicated that further arrests could be made as the investigation progresses, with particular focus on uncovering the entire network behind the illicit operation.

The NDLEA further noted that the street value of the seized drugs exceeded N1 billion, marking a significant blow to the drug trafficking syndicates operating within Lagos State. The confiscated substances are to be securely stored and eventually destroyed according to standard procedures.

The latest success underscores the NDLEA’s broader strategy to target not only traffickers but also the infrastructure that supports the illegal drug trade. Officials urged members of the public to continue providing timely information to aid the fight against drug abuse and trafficking across Nigeria.