Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) this week revealed a startling development in Nigeria’s narcotics battle: a potent new variant of cannabis known as “California Loud” has been detected in Lagos State. According to the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the strain represents a serious escalation in both strength and risk.

The discovery

During his appearance on the television programme This Morning on TVC News, Babafemi explained that “Loud” is a slang term for an especially potent kind of cannabis—characterised by stronger taste, stronger effect—and that “California Loud” is a newly seen version in Lagos. He stressed:

“It is really a big challenge on our hands. … That’s why everyone needs to get involved—whether at the family level, community, or society at large.” Punch Newspapers+1

Link to synthetic cannabis laboratory

The emergence of “California Loud” comes alongside another major bust by the NDLEA: a secret laboratory in a residential building at Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos, used for producing “Colorado” — a synthetic cannabis variant. The lab’s discovery follows months of intelligence work and resulted in the arrest of a 30-year-old suspect, Stephen Imoh.

The agency reported seizure of “freshly cooked Colos” (synthetic cannabis), precursor chemicals and large volumes of material in the raid.

Babafemi warned that such synthetic drugs are especially dangerous because they combine natural THC from cannabis with other chemicals, creating unpredictable and hazardous compounds. He pointed out that the arrested suspect is already suffering skin damage and pigmentation issues from chemical exposure.

The bigger picture

The NDLEA under its Chairman/CEO Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd) has repeatedly pledged to escalate efforts against illicit drug manufacturing, trafficking and syndicates across Nigeria. It emphasized that offenders will be denied illicit gains and that traceable assets will be forfeited to the Federal Government

The detection of “California Loud” marks a potentially alarming shift in the cannabis trade in Nigeria — one where stronger strains and synthetic derivatives are entering local circulation, raising fresh public-health and enforcement challenges. The NDLEA is warning communities, families and young people to stay alert.