The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a transnational methamphetamine production syndicate allegedly operated by a Nigerian drug cartel in collaboration with Mexican partners, leading to the arrest of 10 suspects and the seizure of illicit drugs and chemicals valued at over N480bn.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, disclosed this on Wednesday during a media briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Marwa said the operation, carried out by operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit, resulted in the discovery and shutdown of what he described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever uncovered in Nigeria.
According to him, the illegal laboratory was concealed within Abidagba Forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State and was allegedly operated by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation.
He explained that the operation was conducted simultaneously in Ogun and Lagos states on May 16, following months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
“Through a clinical, simultaneous operation executed by the elite operatives of our Special Operations Unit, we have successfully dismantled a sophisticated, transnational methamphetamine production syndicate run jointly by a Nigerian drug cartel and their Mexican counterparts,” Marwa said.
He added that seven suspects were arrested at the forest laboratory, including three Mexican nationals allegedly recruited to produce methamphetamine in Nigeria.
The Mexican suspects were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles and Torrero Juan Carlos.
Nigerian suspects arrested at the site include Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor.
Marwa further disclosed that operatives later arrested the alleged kingpin of the cartel, Anochili Innocent, at his residence in Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos.
A search of the residence reportedly led to the recovery of the passports and mobile phones of the arrested Mexican nationals, which investigators said linked the suspect directly to their activities in Nigeria.
Additional operations on May 18 led to the arrest of another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, at another property connected to the syndicate in Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, while another raid targeted a residence allegedly used as a stash house by cartel member Emeka Nwobum.
According to the NDLEA boss, the total number of suspects arrested has risen to 10, including the alleged drug baron, three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian accomplices.
The agency also recovered 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals during the operation.
Marwa said the seized substances were estimated to be worth $362.9 million in the international market, equivalent to more than N480bn.
He added that vehicles allegedly used in the operations, including a Toyota Tacoma and a Toyota Highlander, were also recovered.
The NDLEA boss warned that the agency would continue its crackdown on drug trafficking networks and raised concerns over what he described as a growing trend of foreign specialists being recruited to establish drug manufacturing facilities in rural communities across Nigeria.
He also urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, noting that the Ogun laboratory had operated under the guise of a regular farm.
