Korede Abdullah 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major opioids cartel in Lagos following an intelligence-led operation that uncovered a secret warehouse stocked with illegal substances worth more than ₦6.7 billion.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi said on Wednesday that the operation led to the arrest of a suspected drug baron, Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu, and five members of his syndicate.
Babafemi said the agency’s Special Operations Unit first tracked two syndicate members — Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel — at Apple Junction in Festac. Their arrest triggered a follow-up raid on the Bucknor estate warehouse, where officers detained Nwanagu and three others.
“A total of 7,272,000 tramadol pills and 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup were recovered,” he said, adding that the items were evacuated from the estate in 11 trucks.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the operation as “a clear and unambiguous statement” to drug cartels targeting Nigerian communities.
“The days when drug barons thought they were untouchable are over,” he said. “This seizure represents a victory for the Nigerian people.”
Marwa said the success strengthens the agency’s resolve to track down major traffickers, financiers and distributors driving the illegal drug economy.
About the Author
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Oluwatobi Adu 
Koko Maxwella 
Hussaini Ibrahim