The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered and dismantled a major transnational drug production network involving Nigerian and Mexican collaborators, following a high-level operation that led to the arrest of 10 suspects and the seizure of illicit drugs and chemicals valued at over N480 billion.
The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Buba Marwa, disclosed this on Wednesday during a media briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to Marwa, operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit uncovered what is described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever discovered in Nigeria. The facility was located deep within Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State and operated under a coordinated criminal network known as the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation.
He explained that the operation was executed simultaneously in Ogun and Lagos States on May 16, 2026, after months of intelligence gathering. The raid resulted in the arrest of seven suspects at the forest-based laboratory, including three Mexican nationals allegedly brought into the country to produce methamphetamine.
The foreign suspects were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto (46), Jesus López Valles (40), and Torrero Juan Carlos (51). Nigerian suspects arrested at the site include Nwankwo Sunday Christian (41), Igwe Abuchi Remijus (42), Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua (23), and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor (38).
Marwa further revealed that operatives arrested the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, at his residence in Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lagos. A search of the property reportedly led to the recovery of passports and mobile phones belonging to the Mexican nationals, strengthening links between the suspects and the wider network.
Two additional suspects, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa (44) and Emeka Nwobum, were later arrested in follow-up operations, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to 10.
The NDLEA said a total of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals were recovered from the illegal facility. The seized substances, valued at approximately $362.9 million, are estimated at over N480 billion in the international drug market.
The agency also recovered operational vehicles, including a Toyota Tacoma used at the laboratory site and a Toyota Highlander linked to the alleged kingpin.
Marwa warned that the NDLEA will intensify efforts to dismantle drug cartels operating within Nigeria, noting a rising trend of foreign drug specialists being hired to establish local production hubs in rural communities under the guise of legitimate activities such as farming.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, stressing that the uncovered laboratory had been concealed within a forest environment to avoid detection.
The latest operation comes days after NDLEA operatives in Edo State destroyed two cannabis plantations in Ago Forest, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, with an estimated yield of 1,388.42 kilograms and arrested four suspected traffickers.
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