Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested alleged drug kingpin Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu and five members of his network after uncovering a stash of illicit drugs worth over N6.7 billion in Lagos.
According to reports, the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit raided a concealed warehouse located at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri, Isolo, where the syndicate allegedly stored millions of tramadol tablets and codeine bottles ahead of their planned distribution during the Christmas season.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the operation in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the agency acted upon credible intelligence showing the group was preparing to circulate 7.2 million pills of Tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles of codeine syrup—a shipment capable of flooding illicit markets across the South-West.
The operation began on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, when two members of the group, Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, were intercepted at Apple Junction, Festac, while transporting 300 cartons of opioids in a truck.
A follow-up raid on Thursday, November 20, led agents to the main warehouse at Bucknor, resulting in the arrest of Nwanagu and other syndicate members: Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.
In total, NDLEA recovered:
• 7,272,000 Tramadol 225mg pills (worth N3.96bn)
• 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup (worth N2.76bn)
The drugs—valued at N6,722,550,000—were removed from the estate using 11 trucks and transported to the NDLEA exhibit facility in Lagos.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), hailed the operation as a major blow to drug cartels targeting Nigerian youths. He stressed that the bust sends a clear warning to syndicates operating from residential estates and using delivery trucks as cover.
“This is more than an arrest; it is a resounding message,” Marwa said. “This massive seizure—which could have fueled addiction, crime, and insecurity—demonstrates our resolve to fulfil the mandate given by President Bola Tinubu.”
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to dismantling the financial and operational structures of drug-trafficking networks, stating that the era of untouchable drug lords is over.
The operation involved the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit and Strike Force Unit, which Marwa commended for their professionalism and relentless efforts.
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