National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized 377,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup valued at more than N2.6 billion from a warehouse in Lagos.
Gatekeepers News reports that the seizure was made during an intelligence-led operation at a warehouse located within a residential compound at 20 Hakeem Dosumu Street, Ago Palace area of Okota, Lagos. The operation was conducted between August 7 and 8, 2026.
According to the agency, its operatives recovered 3,776 cartons containing the controlled substance from the facility.
The seizure formed part of a series of operations conducted by the NDLEA across Lagos, Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Delta states, which resulted in the recovery of large quantities of cocaine, cannabis, pharmaceutical opioids and other controlled substances.
In another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives raided the residence of a suspected drug kingpin, 55-year-old Shoremi Kayode, at Ogundare Street, Ipaja Estate, Ipaja.
The agency said 324 kilogrammes of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, valued at N972 million, were recovered from the suspect. A Mercedes-Benz and a Toyota Corolla were also seized.
The NDLEA also arrested a 48-year-old Lagos businessman, Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport while allegedly attempting to travel to New Delhi, India, with 1.55 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed inside the walls and railings of his luggage.
The agency said Onyebuchi confessed that he sold his marble business and other assets to raise N23 million to purchase the cocaine, which he expected to sell in India for up to N100 million. He remains in custody pending prosecution.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd.), commended officers involved in the operations and urged them to sustain efforts aimed at reducing both the supply and demand for illicit drugs.
