The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has dismantled an opioid cartel in an intelligence-led operation during which a baron and five members of his gang were arrested.
The NDLEA operatives recovered illicit substances worth over N6.7 billion from their secret warehouse in a residential estate in Lagos. A statement by the agency on Wednesday said the operatives had continued their offensive against drug syndicates as part of a nationwide crackdown.
It said that the arrest followed credible intelligence that the drug trafficking organisation was distributing over 7.2 million pills of tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles (52.6 million mls) of codeine syrup.
It said that the drugs were warehoused in a residential compound located at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri area of Isolo, Lagos, ahead of the Christmas festive season.
It also said that officers of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit led a well-coordinated operation between November 19 and 20 to round up members of the syndicate and dismantle their criminal network. It added that two members of the DTO were trailed and arrested at Apple Junction, Festac area of Lagos on November 19, while conveying 300 cartons of opioids in a truck.
It also added that a follow-up operation to the syndicate’s warehouse at Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, the following day, November 20, led to the arrest of other members of the syndicate.
“In all, a total of 7,272,000 pills of tramadol 225mg worth N3.9billion and 53 million mills of codeine syrup valued at over N2.8 billion, bringing the combined value of the seized drugs to N6.7 billion, only in street value were recovered. They were all moved out of the estate in eleven trucks to NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos,” said NDLEA.
The NDLEA chairman, Buba Marwa, has commended the commander and operatives of the Special Operations Unit, as well as those of the Strike Force Unit, involved in dismantling the syndicate.
Mr Marwa praised the officers’ professionalism and dedication, describing the breakthrough as a major blow to the cartels preying on Nigeria’s youth.
(NAN)