The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has destroyed a clandestine laboratory for production of Hashish Oil and recovered 13 rounds of live ammunition with other drugs and substances.
This was made known in a statement by its Public Affairs Head, Jonah Achema in Abuja on Friday.
Hashish is a drug substance made from the resin of the cannabis plant and it is consumed by inhaling from a small piece, typically in a pipe, bong, vaporizer or joint, or via oral ingestion.
Achema noted that the hashish clandestine laboratory was the first ever to be discovered by the agency as it had always uncover other drugs and substances.
The NDLEA boss said that the laboratory which was located in an apartment on No. 7, Imam Augusto Close, Victoria Island, Lagos has been demolished by the Agency.
According to him, the investigation started before the COVID-19 and NDLEA had only uncovered methamphetamine, adding that it is shocking to discover such laboratory in the centre of Lagos.
He said a suspect was arrested by the agency in the course of the operation code-named Hash-Caste.
Achema said that the suspected owner of the laboratory engaged in indoor growing of cannabis sativa and processing same into hashish oil through extraction.
“The suspect is a graduate of University of Southern Denmark with a degree in Electronic Engineering.
“Aged 42, the suspect claimed to have been pushed into the hydroponic cannabis growing and Hashish Oil extraction following the collapse of his Inverter, Metering and Solar Installation Company in 2019.
“He said he noticed that there is so much money to be made in view of the high demand for Hashish oil in the international market as a curative medicine for cancer,” he said.
Achema said that the suspect expansive premise was well fortified with protective dogs and himself well armed, ostensibly to put up resistance from the suspected onslaught of law enforcement agencies.
He added that several drug exhibits were recovered which include 911 grams of Cannabis seeds, 21 Kilograms of Cannabis infused Ethanol, 83 grams of Hashish Oil 123mg THC-70 CBD.
“1.127 Kilograms of Cannabis Cream, 80 grams of fresh Cannabis plant and 25 grams of dried Cannabis plant were also recovered.
“Other items found in the active laboratory are: 500 grams of Potassium Hydroxide Pellets, Propyl Alcohol.
“500 grams of Sodium Hydroxide Pellets, Distilled water, Water Aspirator Vacuum Pump, Round bottom Flasks, Citric Acid, PH Meter, Retort Stands, Distillation Flasks, Printer, Spectronet wireless wifi, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).
“Two vehicles belonging to the suspect were seized as they were suspected to have been acquired from the proceeds of illicit drug trade.
“Also detected are two bank accounts belonging to the suspect and one jointly operated by the suspect and his mother,” he said.
NDLEA Chairman, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (Rtd.) said that the drug trade was “assuming a hitherto unthinkable dimension for somebody to turn his premises into a cannabis farm”.
Abdallah who condemned the act added that it was unimaginable for someone to establish in the same premises a laboratory to process the proceeds into bye products such as Hashish.
The Chairman therefore urged all stakeholders to deploy all means to contain this act because Nigeria could not afford a dangerous brew of Hashish Oil.
