*Arrests Three Mexicans, Seven Nigerians
THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the dismantling of a large methamphetamine production laboratory concealed deep within a remote forest in Ijebu East Local Council of Ogun State and allegedly operated by a transnational criminal network involving a Nigerian drug cartel and Mexican methamphetamine producers.
NDLEA, in a statement by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the operation led to the seizure of over 2.4 tonnes of methamphetamine and related chemical substances, estimated to be worth over $362million in the international market or over N480 billion.
Babafemi explained that the Special Operations Unit (SOU) carried out coordinated and simultaneous raids were conducted in Ogun and Lagos states on May 1 after months of intelligence gathering, successfully dismantling the sophisticated drug manufacturing syndicate operating on Nigeria.
He said the primary target was a clandestine laboratory located in Abidagba Forest in Ogun State allegedly run by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation, while another team stormed a residence in Lakowe in Lekki area of Lagos State, where the suspected leader, Anochili Innocent, was arrested.
He disclosed that during the forest operation, NDLEA operatives caught the suspects off guard, secured the site and arrested three Mexican- Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles and Torrero Juan Carlos, alongside four Nigerian collaborators- Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor.
Babafemi stated that the agency also arrested Kingsley Orike Omonughwa at a Lekki property linked to the alleged cartel leader, and Emeka Nwobum, after his residence was identified as a stash house for the network.
He stated that NDLEA officials also recovered 2,419.48 kilogrammes of chemical substances, including finished methamphetamine, liquid variants, precursor chemicals and industrial solvents, valued at approximately $362,922,000.
The agency reportedly recovered a Toyota Tacoma used at the forest lab site and a Toyota Highlander allegedly linked to the cartel leader.
In his reaction, NDLEA’s Executive Chairman, Mohammed Buba Marwa, warned drug cartels and barons that Nigeria now a hostile country for their criminal business.
Giving details of the operation at a media briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, Marwa, a retied Brig-Gen, said: “Barely two weeks ago, we announced the successful takedown of a high-profile Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO), headed by Simon Amadi, in a complex, multi-country operation, involving the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Swiss, French and the Greek law enforcement agencies.
“Today, I am proud to announce that the NDLEA has struck another crippling blow to the heart of transnational organised crime.
“Through a clinical, simultaneous operation executed by the elite operatives of our Special Operations Unit (SOU), we have successfully dismantled a sophisticated, transnational methamphetamine production syndicate run jointly by a Nigerian drug cartel and their Mexican counterparts.
“This network did not just traffic drugs; they were actively manufacturing industrial-scale quantities of highly lethal illicit substances right on our soil, threatening the national security and public health of Nigeria.
“After months of painstaking, credible intelligence, our operatives on Saturday, 16th May 2026, launched a well-coordinated, simultaneous strikes in both Ogun and Lagos states.
“Most notably, the operation confirms our intelligence regarding the importation of foreign technical expertise by local cartels.
“I equally directed the deployment of our specialized chemical and forensic team to the clandestine laboratory to test, weigh and secure the chemical components.
“The sheer volume of dangerous precursor chemicals, industrial solvents and finished products recovered is staggering. Imagine this humongous amount in the control of criminal elements.
“To put this in perspective, the 2,419.48 kilogrammes of finished and liquid methamphetamine seized represents millions of street doses that would have flooded our local communities and international markets, causing untold destruction, psychosis, and violence.
“We are fully aware of the shifting tactics of these cartels, including the disturbing trend of hiring South American cartel specialists to set up production factories in our rural communities.
“Let it be known that no matter how deep into the bush you hide, no matter how secure your gated estate is, the NDLEA will hunt you down, disrupt your networks and seize your ill-gotten wealth.”
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, strange chemical odours or unusual movements in their localities.
