NDLEA Cracks Lagos Opioid Cartel, Seizes N6.7 Billion in Tramadol, Codeine; Arrests Drug Baron and Five Associates
Lagos – In a major crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a Lagos-based opioids cartel, arresting baron Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu and five members of his gang while recovering illegal substances valued at over N6.7 billion.
The operation, intelligence-driven and coordinated by the NDLEA Special Operations Unit, targeted a secret warehouse located at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri, Lagos, ahead of the Christmas season. Officials had received credible information that the syndicate was stockpiling more than 7.2 million tramadol 225mg pills and 526,200 bottles of codeine syrup, equivalent to 52.6 million milliliters.
Two syndicate members, Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, were initially arrested on Wednesday, November 19, at Apple Junction, Festac, while transporting 300 cartons of opioids in a truck. A follow-up raid on Thursday, November 20, led to the capture of Nwanagu and other key members, including Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.
In total, authorities recovered 7,272,000 tramadol pills worth N3.96 billion and 53 million milliliters of codeine syrup valued at N2.76 billion, bringing the combined street value of the seized drugs to N6.72 billion. The haul was transported in eleven trucks to the NDLEA central exhibit complex in Lagos.
NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the officers for their professionalism, describing the seizure as a “major blow to cartels preying on Nigeria’s youth.”
Marwa warned that drug barons could no longer operate with impunity. “The days when drug barons thought they were untouchable are over. This arrest demonstrates that the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with every merchant of death, no matter how high or deeply concealed they think they are,” he said.
The NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to targeting kingpins and financiers of the illicit drug trade, ensuring the safety and well-being of the Nigerian populace.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Wednesday, 26 November 2025
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