A massive drug trafficking syndicate operated by a Lagos-based family has been uncovered by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), leading to the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of over 500 kilograms of skunk.
The operation began on Friday, June 13, when Ajah Johnson Uchenna and his wife, Rosemary Uchenna, were arrested in the Ojo area of Lagos with 277.5kg of skunk—a potent strain of cannabis. The couple was immediately handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation.
However, despite their arrest, the illicit business continued. Acting on fresh intelligence, NDLEA operatives carried out a follow-up raid on Tuesday, July 1, targeting the couple’s residence and a nearby store suspected to be a distribution center.
The second raid uncovered an additional 231kg of skunk, bringing the total drug haul to 508.5kg. Three more suspects were arrested during the raid—Stella Uchenna and Ngozi Uchenna, the couple’s daughters, and a family friend, Okoro Elijah—who were allegedly running the operation in the absence of the parents.
Speaking on the arrest, a senior NDLEA official said, “This is not just a crime; it is a full family business built around drug trafficking. The coordination and scale are shocking.”
All five suspects are currently in NDLEA custody and are expected to face charges for drug trafficking and criminal conspiracy.
The NDLEA has assured the public that investigations are ongoing to uncover more links within and outside Lagos. The agency also reaffirmed its tough stance against drug crimes, warning that no one regardless of status or family connection is above the law.