The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned an alleged drug kingpin, three Mexican nationals and six other suspects over the operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory hidden in a forest in Ogun State, where illicit drugs valued at more than N480 billion were allegedly produced for the international market.
The 10 defendants were on Friday docked before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court in Lagos on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, operating a super clandestine laboratory, manufacturing methamphetamine, unlawful possession of precursor chemicals and running an international drug trafficking organisation.
The defendants are alleged cartel leader Anochili Innocent, 63; Mexican nationals Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, 49, Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46, and Jesus López Valles, 40; alongside six Nigerian collaborators accused of participating in the illicit operation.
According to the NDLEA, the suspects were arrested during coordinated operations conducted between May 16 and 18, 2026, following the discovery of one of the largest clandestine methamphetamine production facilities ever uncovered in Nigeria. The industrial-scale laboratory was concealed deep inside a forest in Mowe, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Investigators alleged that the syndicate established the facility between February and May 2026 and manufactured about 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine intended for export to international illicit drug markets.
The agency said operatives recovered large quantities of precursor chemicals used in the production of methamphetamine, including 1,834 kilograms of hydrochloric acid, 358 kilograms of toluene, 22.5 kilograms of acetone, as well as phenyl-2-propane (P2P) and phenyl acetic acid.
NDLEA further alleged that Anochili was arrested at his residence in the Lakowe area of Lekki, Lagos, while follow-up operations led to the arrest of other members of the syndicate at separate locations linked to the drug network.
The prosecution told the court that the defendants established and financed a criminal drug trafficking organisation and transported precursor chemicals from Lagos to the Ogun forest laboratory using multiple vehicles. Anochili also faces an additional charge of permitting his property to be used for the manufacture of illicit drugs.
All 10 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Although the prosecution indicated its readiness to commence trial and lined up seven witnesses after serving the proof of evidence on the defence, counsel to the defendants requested additional time to prepare their case.
Justice Kakaki subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Lagos Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to July 16 and July 22 for the commencement of trial and hearing of their bail applications.
Reacting to the arraignment, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the case as one of the agency’s most significant breakthroughs against industrial-scale narcotics production in Nigeria.
He said the involvement of Mexican nationals underscored the growing attempts by international drug cartels to establish Nigeria as a manufacturing hub for methamphetamine destined for global markets.
“The presence of Mexican nationals among those arrested and arraigned today speaks to the alarming reach of international drug cartels now attempting to entrench themselves in Nigeria, but the Agency will not relent in tracking down and dismantling every such network, no matter how well concealed or well-financed,” Marwa said.
He reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and urged Nigerians to continue providing credible intelligence to support the agency’s ongoing anti-narcotics operations.
The prosecution is expected to begin presenting its evidence when the trial resumes later this month.
