The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned an alleged drug kingpin, 63-year-old Anochili Innocent, alongside three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Lagos over the operation of a super clandestine methamphetamine laboratory hidden in a forest in Ogun State.
According to a statement by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the ten defendants were docked before Justice Musa Kakaki on Friday on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, drug trafficking, unlawful production of methamphetamine, possession of precursor chemicals, and operating a drug trafficking organisation.
The defendants include Mexican nationals Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix and Jesus López Valles, as well as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike and Nwobum Emeka.
The suspects were arrested during coordinated NDLEA operations in Ogun and Lagos states between May 16 and 18, 2026, following the discovery of the illicit laboratory concealed deep inside Mowe Forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Investigators recovered 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine with an estimated international street value exceeding ₦480 billion, alongside large quantities of precursor chemicals, including toluene, hydrochloric acid, acetone, phenyl-2-propane (P2P) and phenyl acetic acid.
The Agency alleged that the defendants established and operated the industrial-scale laboratory between February and May 2026, while Anochili Innocent was separately charged for permitting his property to be used for the production of illicit drugs.
All ten defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Although the prosecution commenced trial after serving the defence with proof of evidence, defence counsel requested additional time to prepare their case. Justice Kakaki subsequently ordered that all the defendants be remanded at the Lagos Correctional Centre and adjourned proceedings to July 16 and July 22, 2026, for continuation of trial and hearing of their bail applications.
Reacting to the arraignment, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the case as one of the most significant crackdowns on an industrial-scale narcotics production operation in Nigeria.
Marwa said the involvement of Mexican nationals highlights the growing attempts by international drug cartels to establish manufacturing bases in Nigeria for global drug trafficking, stressing that the Agency remains committed to dismantling such networks and bringing those involved to justice.
He also appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support the Agency’s nationwide anti-drug operations.
