The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major opioid trafficking network in Lagos, arresting a suspected drug baron, Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu, and five members of his syndicate. The raid, described as one of the agency’s biggest in recent years, led to the recovery of illicit drugs valued at more than N6.7 billion.

The operation, carried out by the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit between November 19 and 20, followed intelligence reports that the group was preparing to distribute over 7.2 million tramadol pills (225mg) and 526,200 bottles of codeine syrup ahead of the festive season. The substances were stored in a secret warehouse located in a residential estate at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri, Isolo.

Two syndicate members, Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, were first arrested at Apple Junction, Festac, while transporting 300 cartons of opioids. A follow-up raid on the warehouse the next day led to the arrest of Nwanagu and accomplices Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.

In total, the NDLEA recovered 7,272,000 tramadol pills worth N3.96 billion and 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup valued at N2.76 billion, all evacuated from the estate in 11 trucks and transferred to the agency’s exhibit facility.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), hailed the operation as a major blow to criminal networks fueling drug abuse nationwide. He praised the professionalism of the Special Operations and Strike Force units, stressing that the agency remains focused on dismantling drug kingpins and financiers.

“This seizure represents a victory for the Nigerian people. The days when drug barons felt untouchable are over,” Marwa said.