TheCable

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has sealed off a hotel in Abuja after the premises was used to host an “illegal drug party”.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesman, in a statement on Thursday, said a raid was conducted on Diplomatic Suites in Asokoro, Abuja, on Wednesday.

He said during the raid, illicit drugs were recovered, while organisers and party attendees have been arrested and are currently in custody.

“Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have raided and sealed Diplomatic Suites Hotel, Asokoro, Abuja, in a joint operation with men of the Department of State Services, DSS, to stop a cannabis party and the launch of a suspected new psychoactive drink,” the statement reads.

“About 200 attendees, including three young ladies who organised the hemp party, are currently being profiled and interviewed while bottles of the new drink have been taken for lab analysis.

“The hotel was raided at about 8:18pm on Wednesday, 20th April, following actionable intelligence that some youths were planning to hold a hemp party at the hotel. Quantities of cannabis sativa were recovered from the pockets and bags of those arrested at the hemp party.

“The audacious party, no doubt, is part of attempts by some elements to create a drug subculture in the Nigerian social space. The NDLEA will, however, continue to work with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure abuse of illicit substances is not allowed to get entrenched in the country under any guise.”