The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a sophisticated Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine production syndicate, recovering illicit drugs and chemical substances valued at over N480 billion in what authorities described as the largest methamphetamine seizure in Nigeria’s history.
The arrested Mexican suspects were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos, 51
The Nigerian suspects apprehended at the forest laboratory included Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 42; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38.
The operation, carried out by elite operatives of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit (SOU), led to the discovery and shutdown of an industrial-scale clandestine meth laboratory hidden inside a remote forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Addressing journalists at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the coordinated operation followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance across Ogun and Lagos States.
Addressing journalists at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the coordinated operation followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance across Ogun and Lagos States.
Marwa disclosed that the operation resulted in the arrest of the alleged kingpin of the cartel, Anochili Innocent, alongside three Mexican methamphetamine specialists and six Nigerian collaborators.
According to the agency, the operation was carried out by elite operatives of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit after months of intelligence gathering
According to the agency, the operation was carried out by elite operatives of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit after months of intelligence gathering
The main target was a concealed methamphetamine production facility located in Abidagba Forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, allegedly operated by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO).
Marwa said operatives stormed the forest laboratory on May 16, 2026, arresting seven suspects, including three Mexican nationals allegedly brought into Nigeria to manufacture methamphetamine.
Simultaneously, another tactical team stormed the Lekki residence of the alleged drug baron, Anochili Innocent, located at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lagos, where he was arrested.
The NDLEA boss added that follow-up operations on May 18 led to the arrest of another key suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, at a separate property in Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, Lagos.
Investigators also raided the residence of another alleged syndicate member, Emeka Nwobum, whose property reportedly served as a strategic stash house for the cartel.
According to Marwa, the operation yielded a total of 2,419.48 kilograms of chemical substances, including crystallized methamphetamine, precursor chemicals, and highly volatile toxic materials.
He said the seized substances were valued at approximately 362.9 million dollars in the international illicit drug market, equivalent to more than N480 billion.
Also recovered during the operation were a Toyota Tacoma vehicle allegedly used for transporting materials to the clandestine laboratory and a Toyota Highlander SUV seized from the cartel leader.
Marwa described the seizure as a major blow to transnational organised crime and warned that Nigeria would remain hostile territory for drug cartels and criminal syndicates.
“We are fully aware of the changing tactics of these cartels, including the recruitment of foreign specialists to establish drug production facilities in rural communities,” he said.
“No matter how deep into the forest you hide or how fortified your estates are, the NDLEA will hunt you down, dismantle your networks, and confiscate your illicit wealth.”
The NDLEA chairman commended the bravery and professionalism of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit and Chemical and Forensic Teams for successfully executing the operation.
He also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, noting that the meth laboratory in Ogun State was operating under the disguise of a regular farm.
“This war is for the soul of our nation, and we will not relent until Nigeria is free from the grip of illicit drugs,” Marwa added.
