NDLEA arrests major drug kingpin, seizes millions of tramadol tablets in Lagos

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested Oyekachi Nwanagu, a suspected major drug trafficker, alongside five members of his criminal network during an intelligence-driven operation in Isolo, Lagos.

The raid, conducted by the agency’s Special Operations Unit between November 19 and 20, followed credible intelligence suggesting the group was gearing up to distribute massive quantities of illicit drugs ahead of the festive season.

According to NDLEA sources, the syndicate had stockpiled over 7.2 million tramadol tablets and more than 526,000 bottles of codeine syrup, both of which were intended for widespread circulation during the Yuletide period.

In a statement on Wednesday, the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, revealed that the first arrests were made on November 19 at Apple Junction, Festac, where operatives intercepted two suspects allegedly transporting 300 cartons of opioids in a truck.

He noted that the breakthrough prompted a follow-up raid at the syndicate’s warehouse the following day, where Nwanagu and three others — Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu and Oraghalia Philip — were apprehended.

According to Babafemi, “Following credible intelligence that the drug trafficking organisation was about to distribute over 7.2 million pills of tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles (52.6 million ml) 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, two members of the DTO — Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel — were trailed and arrested at Apple Junction, Festac, 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 Philip.”

He added that officers recovered 7,272,000 tramadol 225mg tablets valued at N3.96bn and 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup worth more than N2.76bn.

“In all, a total of 7,272,000 pills of tramadol 225mg worth N3,960,000,000 and 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup valued at over N2,762,550,000, bringing the combined street value of the seized drugs to N6,722,550,000, were recovered and moved out of the estate in eleven trucks to the NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos,” he said.

NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) praised the operation, describing it as a decisive blow against organised drug crime. He said the massive haul stopped substances that could have fuelled addiction and insecurity across the country, adding that the agency remained committed to dismantling drug kingpins and their backers.