NDLEA bust Lagos sees six cartel members arrested, 7.2 million tramadol pills and 53 million ml codeine syrup worth N6.7bn seized in Isolo

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested no fewer than six suspected members of a drug cartel following the recovery of illicit substances worth over N6.7bn in Lagos State.

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The NDLEA disclosed that the operation, which targeted a warehouse in the Isolo area, led to the apprehension of drug baron Onyekachi Nwanagu and five accomplices.

The seizure included more than 7.2 million pills of 225mg tramadol and 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup, stored in a residential compound.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, two cartel members, Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, were first arrested on November 19 at Apple Junction, FESTAC, while transporting 300 cartons of opioids.

A follow-up raid on the warehouse the next day resulted in the arrest of Nwanagu and other syndicate members: Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.

The recovered substances, valued at N3.96bn for tramadol and over N2.76bn for codeine syrup, were transported in eleven trucks to the NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos.

Babafemi described the operation as a “major setback for drug cartels preying on Nigeria’s youth.”

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) commended the professionalism of officers involved, saying the seizure represents a victory for Nigerians and a strong warning to drug kingpins.

“The days when drug barons thought they were untouchable are over,” he said.

Marwa emphasised the agency’s focus on dismantling drug networks and pursuing financiers behind narcotics distribution.

He added that the arrest of Nwanagu and his cohorts confirms the NDLEA’s unwavering commitment to its mandate under President Bola Tinubu.

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The arrests follow a similar operation on November 15, which resulted in the apprehension of another wanted drug baron, Frank Chijioke Ibemesi, after weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.