The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has dismantled a major transnational drug syndicate involving Nigerian and Mexican nationals, uncovering what authorities described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever discovered in the country.
At a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, said operatives of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit carried out coordinated raids across Ogun and Lagos states, leading to the arrest of 10 suspects, including three Mexican nationals and the alleged kingpin of the cartel.
Marwa disclosed that the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and culminated in simultaneous strikes conducted within 48 hours last week.
According to him, the primary target was a sprawling clandestine methamphetamine laboratory concealed within Abidagba Forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State. He said the facility was being operated by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation and was producing methamphetamine on an industrial scale.
He explained that operatives stormed the forest laboratory on May 16, arresting seven suspects, including three Mexican nationals allegedly brought into Nigeria to provide technical expertise for meth production.
The arrested suspects were identified as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos.
Marwa added that another tactical team simultaneously raided a residence located at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos, where the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, was arrested.
He said investigators recovered the international passports and mobile phones of the three Mexican suspects from the residence, linking the suspect directly to the recruitment and management of the foreign methamphetamine experts.
The NDLEA boss further disclosed that follow-up operations on May 18 led operatives to another property in Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, Lagos, where another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, was arrested. He added that operatives also uncovered a stash house allegedly linked to another syndicate member, Emeka Nwobum.
Marwa stated that the operation resulted in the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, precursor chemicals, and industrial solvents valued at approximately $362.9 million on the international market, equivalent to over N480 billion.
He noted that the haul represented millions of potential street doses capable of causing severe social and public health consequences.
Items recovered during the operation included a Toyota Tacoma vehicle allegedly used for activities at the forest laboratory and a Toyota Highlander reportedly seized from the cartel leader.
Marwa said the successful dismantling of the syndicate, coming shortly after the takedown of another drug trafficking network led by Simon Amadi, demonstrated the agency’s determination to combat organised drug crime and prevent Nigeria from becoming a hub for international narcotics production.
He warned that the NDLEA would continue to intensify efforts against drug cartels and their foreign collaborators, stressing that criminal networks would find Nigeria increasingly hostile for illicit drug operations.
The NDLEA chairman also commended the agency’s Special Operations Unit and Chemical and Forensic Team for what he described as professionalism and bravery during the operation.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, unusual chemical odours, or movements within their communities, noting that the Ogun laboratory had been disguised as a regular farm.
