The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has busted a major drug trafficking cartel in Lagos, recovering illicit opioids valued at N6.7 billion and arresting alleged kingpin Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu alongside five members of his network.

The operation, led by the NDLEA Special Operations Unit, followed credible intelligence that the syndicate was preparing to distribute 7.2 million pills of Tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles of codeine syrup ahead of the Christmas season. The drugs were stored in a warehouse inside a residential compound at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri, Isolo.

Two members of the cartel — Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel — were first intercepted on 19 November at Apple Junction, Festac, while transporting 300 cartons of opioids in a truck. A follow-up raid on the warehouse the next day led to the arrest of Nwanagu and three others: Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.

In total, officers seized 7,272,000 pills of tramadol, worth N3.96 billion, and over 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup, valued at N2.76 billion. The drugs were evacuated from the estate in eleven trucks to the NDLEA’s central exhibit complex.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), hailed the operation as a decisive strike against cartels exploiting Nigerian youths, stressing that the agency is intensifying its pursuit of drug kingpins and financiers.

“This is not just an arrest; it is a clear and unambiguous statement,” Marwa said, warning that drug barons are no longer untouchable. “The long arm of the law will catch up with every merchant of death, no matter how highly placed or concealed.”

He commended the professionalism and dedication of the Special Operations and Strike Force units for what he described as a major victory in the war against illicit drugs.

The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.