Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEAD) have apprehended a suspected drug baron, Onyekachi Nwanagu, and five members of his network during an intelligence-led operation that uncovered a large opioid warehouse in the Isolo area of Lagos.
According to the NDLEA, the raid was conducted by its Special Operations Unit between November 19 and 20, in response to intelligence that the gang was prepared to distribute over 7.2 million tramadol tablets and more than 526,000 bottles of codeine syrup ahead of the festive season.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, two suspects, Egbo Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, were apprehended on November 19 at Apple Junction in Festac while reportedly trafficking 300 boxes of opioids in a truck.
He said a follow-up operation at the group’s warehouse the next day resulted in the arrest of Nwanagu and three others: Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Philip.
According to Babafemi, “Following credible intelligence that the drug trafficking organization was about to distribute over 7.2 million pills of tramadol 225 mg and 526,200 bottles (52.6 million ml) of codeine syrup warehoused in a residential compound located at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri area of Isolo, Lagos State, ahead of the Christmas festive season, two members of the DTO—Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel—were trailed and arrested at Apple Junction, Festac, on Wednesday, 19th November, while conveying 300 cartons of opioids in a truck.
“A follow-up operation to the syndicate’s warehouse at Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, the following day, Thursday, 20th November, led to the arrest of Onyekachi Nwanagu and other members of his syndicate, including Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Philip.”
He stated that operatives recovered 7,272,000 tramadol 225 mg pills worth N3.96 billion and 53 million milliliters of codeine syrup worth more than N2.76 billion.
“In all, a total of 7,272,000 pills of tramadol 225 mg worth N3,960,000,000 and 53 million milliliters of codeine syrup valued at over N2,762,550,000, bringing the combined street value of the seized drugs to N6,722,550,000, were recovered and moved out of the estate in eleven trucks to the NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos,” he said.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) praised the officers involved, calling the operation a substantial disruption of illegal drug networks.
He stated that the seizure avoided drugs that may have contributed to widespread addiction and insecurity, and that the agency would continue to target drug kingpins and their backers.
The NDLEA has increased nationwide operations aimed at large-scale drug trafficking networks ahead of the holiday season.
