Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in a continuation of their nationwide offensive action against drug syndicates, have successfully dismantled a major opioids cartel.
An intelligence-led operation resulted in the arrest of a key baron, Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu, and five members of his gang. Illicit substances worth over N6.7 billion were recovered from their secret warehouse located within a residential estate in Lagos.
The arrests followed credible intelligence indicating that the Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO) was preparing to distribute over 7.2 million pills of Tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles (52.6 million mls) of Codeine Syrup. These massive quantities were warehoused in a residential compound at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri area of Isolo, Lagos state, ahead of the Christmas festive season.
A Special Operations Unit of the NDLEA executed a well-coordinated operation between Wednesday, November 19, and Thursday, November 20, 2025, to round up members of the syndicate and dismantle their criminal network. The operation began with the trailing and arrest of two DTO members, Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, at Apple Junction, Festac area of Lagos on Wednesday, November 19, while they were conveying 300 cartons of opioids in a truck.
A follow-up operation to the syndicate’s main warehouse at Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, the following day, Thursday, November 20, led to the arrest of Onyekachi Nwanagu and other members of his syndicate, including Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.
In total, the seizure amounted to 7,272,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg valued at N3,960,000,000 and 53 million milliliters of Codeine Syrup valued at over N2,762,550,000. The combined street value of the seized drugs reached N6,722,550,000.00. The recovered substances were moved out of the estate in eleven trucks to the NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos.
Chairman/CEO of the NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the professionalism and dedication of the Commander and operatives of the Special Operations Unit, as well as the Strike Force Unit involved in the dismantling of the syndicate. He described the breakthrough as a major blow to cartels preying on Nigeria’s youth.
“This is not just an arrest; it is a clear and unambiguous statement,” Marwa stated. “The seizure of this colossal volume of illicit drugs, which could have fueled addiction, crime, and insecurity across our nation, represents a victory for the Nigerian people and a confirmation of our unwavering commitment to the mandate given to us by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
He emphasized that the Agency’s focus remains squarely on the kingpins and financiers of the illicit drug trade.
“The days when drug barons thought they were untouchable are over. The arrest of this drug baron and his criminal cohorts, following an intensive intelligence operation, serves as a stark reminder that the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with every merchant of death, no matter how high or deeply concealed they think they are,” he concluded.
