The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has dismantled a Nigeria-Mexico drug syndicate operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State, arresting 10 suspects and seizing illicit drugs and chemicals valued at over N480bn.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, describing the facility as the largest methamphetamine laboratory ever uncovered in Nigeria.
According to Marwa, the laboratory was hidden inside Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State and operated by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation in collaboration with Mexican nationals.
He said NDLEA operatives carried out coordinated raids in Ogun and Lagos states on May 16 after months of intelligence gathering.
Seven suspects, including three Mexicans identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos, were arrested at the forest laboratory alongside four Nigerian collaborators.
The alleged kingpin, Anochili Innocent, was later arrested at his Lekki residence in Lagos, while another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, was apprehended during follow-up operations.
Marwa said operatives also raided a stash house linked to the syndicate, bringing the total number of arrests to 10.
The NDLEA boss revealed that 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals worth about $362.9m in the international market were recovered during the operation.
Recovered items also included vehicles allegedly used for the cartel’s operations.
Marwa warned that the agency would continue targeting drug cartels and foreign collaborators setting up drug production facilities in Nigeria.
