National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has uncovered what it described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine operation in Nigeria’s history, dismantling a Nigerian-Mexican drug syndicate allegedly operating from a hidden forest laboratory in Ogun State.
The agency said the operation led to the arrest of three Mexican chemists and several Nigerian suspects during coordinated raids carried out across Ogun and Lagos State.
NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, disclosed the development during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to him, the syndicate operated an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory concealed deep inside Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, while also maintaining luxury operational residences in Lagos.
Marwa said months of intelligence gathering culminated in tactical operations by the NDLEA Special Operations Unit within a 48-hour period.
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Operatives reportedly stormed the forest laboratory on May 16 and arrested suspects allegedly caught processing illicit narcotics.
The three Mexican nationals arrested were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos. NDLEA alleged they were brought into Nigeria to provide technical expertise for methamphetamine production.
Four Nigerian suspects — Nwankwo Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua, and Egwuonwu Victor — were also arrested at the forest facility.
In a separate raid at Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, operatives arrested alleged cartel leader Anochili Innocent. NDLEA said passports and mobile phones belonging to the Mexican suspects were recovered from the residence.
Another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, was arrested at Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, while Emeka Nwobum was traced to a stash house allegedly used for storage and logistics.
According to Marwa, the operation led to the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of synthetic drugs.
The agency estimated the international street value of the seizure at $362.9 million, equivalent to over ₦480 billion.
“This quantity translates into millions of street doses capable of destroying lives, fueling violent crimes, and destabilising communities both locally and internationally,” Marwa stated.
NDLEA also recovered vehicles allegedly linked to the cartel’s activities, including a Toyota Tacoma used at the forest laboratory and a Toyota Highlander connected to the alleged kingpin.
Marwa warned international drug syndicates against using Nigeria as a production base for narcotics.
“No matter how remote your hideout is or how fortified your mansion may appear, the NDLEA will find you, dismantle your operations, and confiscate the proceeds of your criminal enterprise,” he said.
The NDLEA boss added that intelligence reports indicate a growing trend of local drug cartels recruiting foreign specialists from Latin America to establish methamphetamine laboratories in isolated Nigerian communities.
