Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in continuation of their offensive action against drug syndicates in a nationwide crackdown, have dismantled an opioids cartel in an intelligence-led operation during which a baron, Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu and five members of his gang were arrested with illicit substances worth over N6.7 billion recovered from their secret warehouse in a residential estate in Lagos.
NDLEA said, “The arrest followed credible intelligence that the drug trafficking organisation (DTO) was about distributing over 7.2 million pills of tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles (52.6 million mls) 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.
“Officers of a Special Operations Unit of NDLEA led a well-coordinated operation between Wednesday, 19th and Thursday, 20th November 2025, to round up members of the syndicate and dismantle their criminal network.
“Two members of the DTO: Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel were trailed and arrested at Apple Junction, Festac area of Lagos 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 Chukwuebuka Philip.
“In all, a total of Seven million two Hundred and seventy two thousand (7,272,000) pills of tramadol 225mg worth Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Sixty Million Naira (N3,960,000,000) and 53 million mills of codeine syrup valued at over Two Billion Seven Hundred and Sixty Two Million Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N2,762,550,000), bringing the combined value of the seized drugs to Six Billion Seven Hundred and Twenty Two Million Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N6,722,550,000.00) only in street value were recovered and moved out of the estate in eleven trucks to NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos.
While commending the Commander and operatives of the Special Operations Unit, as well as those of Strike Force Unit involved in the dismantling of the syndicate, Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the officers’ professionalism and dedication, describing the breakthrough as a major blow to the cartels preying on Nigeria’s youth.
He emphasised that the Agency’s focus remains squarely on the kingpins and financiers of the illicit drug trade.
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