The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major transnational drug syndicate involving Nigerian and Mexican nationals, shutting down what authorities described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever discovered in Nigeria.
The operation, carried out by operatives of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit, led to the arrest of 10 suspects, including the alleged cartel kingpin, three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian collaborators, while illicit drugs and chemical materials valued at over N480 billion were recovered.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and coordinated raids across Ogun and Lagos states.
According to Marwa, the primary target was a hidden methamphetamine production facility located in Abidagba Forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
He said the forest laboratory was being operated by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation and was capable of producing industrial-scale quantities of methamphetamine.
Simultaneously, another tactical team stormed a luxury residence in the Lekki area of Lagos State belonging to the alleged cartel leader, identified as Anochili Innocent, who was arrested during the operation.
The NDLEA said seven suspects were apprehended inside the forest laboratory, including three Mexican nationals allegedly brought into Nigeria to provide technical expertise for meth production.
The arrested Mexican suspects were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles and Torrero Juan Carlos, while the Nigerian suspects included Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor.
The agency added that follow-up operations later led to the arrest of another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, in Lagos, while investigators also raided properties allegedly linked to other members of the syndicate.
According to the NDLEA, the operation resulted in the recovery of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals estimated to be worth about $362.9 million in the international market, equivalent to more than N480 billion.
Security operatives also seized vehicles allegedly used for the cartel’s operations, including a Toyota Tacoma and a Toyota Highlander.
Marwa described the bust as a major blow against transnational organised crime and warned drug cartels that Nigeria would remain hostile territory for illegal drug operations.
“We are fully aware of the shifting tactics of these cartels, including the disturbing trend of hiring South American cartel specialists to establish production factories in rural communities,” he said.
“No matter how deep into the bush you hide or how secure your estates are, the NDLEA will hunt you down, dismantle your networks and seize your illicit wealth.”
The NDLEA boss also commended the agency’s operatives and forensic teams for their professionalism during the operation and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant by reporting suspicious activities in their communities.
