NDLEA raids 3 illicit drug warehouses, recovers N16.9bn worth of opioids

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have raided three illicit drug warehouses hidden in a residential estate in Okota area of Lagos.

The operatives recovered 2,360,000 pills of high-potency tramadol 225mg and 1,909,400 bottles of codeine syrup with a combined street value N16.9 billion only.

This is contained in a statement Wednesday in Abuja by Mr Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA.

Babafemi said that the high stakes intelligence-led coordinated operations were conducted on April 17, at 98 Olukayode Awofisayo Street, Park View Estate, Ago Palace, Okota Lagos.

He said that at the address, a large warehouse was uncovered, while two others were uncovered at 5 Charles Ndumetu Street within the same estate.

According to him, recovered from the three warehouses were 19,094 cartons containing 1,909,400 bottles of codeine syrup and 2,360,000 pills of high-potency tramadol 225mg pills in another 34 cartons.

Reacting to the development, the NDLEA Chairman, retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa said the successful operations had dealt a staggering blow to the heart of the pharmaceutical drug black market.

Marwa commended the operatives involved, describing the seizure as a monumental victory in the ongoing fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

According to him, the scale of this recovery, nearly 4.3 million units of lethal substances, is a testament to the fact that our officers are staying several steps ahead of these merchants of death.

”To find such volumes hidden within residential estates like Park View and busy hubs like Okota shows the desperation of these cartels, but it also highlights the peerless intelligence capabilities of our team.”

The NDLEA boss reiterated that there was no safe haven for drug traffickers in Nigeria.

He added that whether they hide their illicit goods in elite mansions or suburban warehouses, the agency’s reach was long and its resolved firm.

“Let this be a clear signal to those who think they can profit from the destruction of our children’s futures. We will find you, dismantle your networks, and bring the full weight of the law upon you,” he warned.