NDLEA raids Lagos warehouses, seizes N16.9bn worth of opioids

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have raided three illicit drug warehouses hidden in a residential estate in Okota, Lagos, recovering 2,360,000 pills of high‑potency tramadol (225mg) and 1,909,400 bottles of codeine syrup with a combined street value of N16.9 billion.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the intelligence‑led operations were conducted on April 17 at 98 Olukayode Awofisayo Street and 5 Charles Ndumetu Street, Park View Estate, Ago Palace, Okota. The raids uncovered 19,094 cartons of codeine syrup and 34 cartons of tramadol pills.

Reacting to the seizure, NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) said the bust dealt a “staggering blow” to the pharmaceutical black market and dismantled a major syndicate. He praised the officers’ professionalism, describing the recovery of nearly 4.3 million units of lethal substances as proof of the agency’s superior intelligence capabilities.

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Marwa warned drug cartels that there is no safe haven in Nigeria. “Whether hidden in elite mansions or suburban warehouses, our reach is long and our resolve is firm. We will dismantle your networks and bring the full weight of the law upon you,” he declared.