In a major breakthrough against illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered a family-run drug cartel in Lagos State, leading to the arrest of five individuals and the seizure of over 508 kilograms of skunk.
The prime suspects—Ajah Johnson Uchenna, a Lagos-based businessman, and his wife, Rosemary Uchenna—were first apprehended on Friday, June 13 in the Ojo area of Lagos. The couple was caught with 277.5kg of skunk, a highly potent strain of cannabis, and handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation.
Shockingly, while the couple remained in custody, fresh intelligence revealed that their drug distribution operation was still active, being run directly from their home.
Acting swiftly on the tip-off, NDLEA agents launched a follow-up raid on Tuesday, July 1, targeting the family’s residence and an adjacent storehouse allegedly used as a distribution hub.
The raid led to the seizure of an additional 231kg of skunk, bringing the total drug haul to a staggering 508.5kg.
During the operation, NDLEA operatives arrested the couple’s two daughters—Stella Uchenna and Ngozi Uchenna—along with Okoro Elijah, a family friend. All three were reportedly caught managing the illicit drug business in the absence of the parents.
A senior NDLEA official described the bust as one of the largest family-operated drug rings discovered in recent years.
“This isn’t just criminal activity; it’s an entire household operating as a drug enterprise,” the source said. “The coordination within this family reveals a deeply entrenched network that we are determined to dismantle completely.”
All five suspects are now in NDLEA custody and will face charges ranging from drug trafficking to criminal conspiracy.
The NDLEA has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on drug crimes, stressing that no one is immune to prosecution, regardless of family ties or social standing. The agency also confirmed that investigations are ongoing to trace more links and potential collaborators within and beyond Lagos.
