Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered and raided three illicit drug warehouses in Lagos, recovering opioids valued at nearly N16.9 billion in one of the agency’s largest seizures in recent years.
The intelligence-led operations, carried out on April 17, 2026, targeted properties within the Okota area of Lagos, specifically in Park View Estate, Ago Palace.
Operatives of the agency discovered large stockpiles of illegal substances concealed within residential buildings, underscoring the growing trend of drug cartels embedding operations in urban neighborhoods
This was confirmed in a statement by the agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the raid led to the recovery of 2.36 million pills of high-potency tramadol (225mg) and 1,909,400 bottles of codeine syrup. The substances, packed in dozens of cartons, have a combined estimated street value of N16,927,200,000.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the operation as a decisive strike against a major drug syndicate.
He said the scale of the seizure demonstrates the agency’s growing capacity to disrupt the pharmaceutical black market.
“The scale of this recovery—nearly 4.3 million units of dangerous substances—shows that our operatives remain ahead of criminal networks.
“The discovery of such volumes within residential estates highlights both the desperation of these cartels and the effectiveness of our intelligence efforts,” Marwa said.
Marwa praised the officers involved for their professionalism and precision, calling the operation a “monumental victory” in Nigeria’s fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
He also issued a stern warning to traffickers, vowing that the agency would continue to dismantle their operations and target their financial networks.
READ ALSO: NDLEA Intercepts 748kg Tramadol On Benin-Lagos Road
“There is no safe haven for those who profit from the destruction of lives.
“We will find you, dismantle your networks, and bring you to justice,” he added.
The NDLEA has intensified its crackdown on opioid distribution in recent years, particularly targeting tramadol and codeine-based products, which are widely abused across the country.
Officials say the latest seizure represents a significant disruption to supply chains fueling addiction and crime.
The agency reiterated its commitment to sustaining pressure on drug cartels and protecting communities from the harmful impact of illicit substances.