Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a suspected drug baron, Onyekachi Nwanagu, alongside five members of his network during a major intelligence-led operation that uncovered a large opioid warehouse in Isolo, Lagos.
The operation, conducted by the agency’s Special Operations Unit between 19 and 20 November, followed credible intelligence that the syndicate was preparing to distribute over 7.2 million tramadol pills and more than 526,000 bottles of codeine syrup ahead of the Christmas festive season.
In a statement on Wednesday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi revealed that two suspects, Egbo Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, were initially apprehended on 19 November at Apple Junction, Festac, while allegedly transporting 300 cartons of opioids in a truck.
A follow-up raid at the syndicate’s warehouse in Bucknor, Isheri, Isolo, the following day led to the arrest of Nwanagu and three others: Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Philip.
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Babafemi stated, “Following credible intelligence that the drug trafficking organisation was about to distribute over 7.2 million tramadol 225mg pills and 526,200 bottles (52.6 million millilitres) of codeine syrup warehoused in a residential compound at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri, Lagos, two members of the DTO were trailed and arrested on 19 November while conveying 300 cartons of opioids in a truck. A follow-up operation at the warehouse on 20 November led to the arrest of Nwanagu and other members of his syndicate.”
The agency recovered 7,272,000 tramadol pills valued at N3.96 billion and 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup worth over N2.76 billion, bringing the total street value of the seized drugs to N6.72 billion. The contraband was transported in eleven trucks to the NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) praised the officers for disrupting a major criminal drug network, highlighting that the operation would prevent substances that could have contributed to addiction and insecurity nationwide.
The NDLEA has intensified nationwide operations targeting large-scale drug traffickers ahead of the festive season. On 18 November, a woman, Oluchi Celestine, was also arrested in Lekki for possession of 2.6kg of Colorado, some of which was hidden in branded containers and flight boarding passes.
