The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major opioid cartel operating out of a covert warehouse inside a residential estate on Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri-Isolo, Lagos.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the agency’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the operation began on November 19, 2025, after intelligence reports revealed suspicious activity around the warehouse. NDLEA operatives intercepted a truck allegedly offloading opioids for distribution ahead of the Christmas season. Two suspected cartel members Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel were arrested at Apple Junction while transporting 300 cartons of opioids.
A follow-up raid on November 20 led agents to the cartel’s warehouse, where officers apprehended the suspected kingpin Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu, along with members of his network: Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip, and two other suspects, bringing the total arrests to six.
NDLEA officials moved the confiscated drugs using eleven recovery trucks to the agency’s central exhibit complex in Lagos. Items recovered include 7,272,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg valued at ₦3.96 billion, and 526,200 bottles of codeine syrup (52.6 million mls) worth ₦2.76 billion, pushing the combined street value of the seized drugs to ₦6,722,550,000.
The illicit stockpile reportedly filled an entire warehouse space within the residential neighbourhood. Lagos Reporters will continue to track the investigation, monitor court proceedings, and provide further updates as the NDLEA intensifies its fight against drug trafficking.
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