The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has busted what authorities describe as one of the most sophisticated international drug trafficking networks ever uncovered in Nigeria, leading to the arrest of a suspected drug kingpin, three Mexican methamphetamine specialists, and six Nigerian accomplices during coordinated raids across Ogun and Lagos states.
The operation also uncovered and destroyed what officials say is the largest illegal methamphetamine laboratory ever discovered in the country. The hidden facility was located deep inside a forest in the Ijebu area of Ogun State.
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled what authorities describe as one of the most sophisticated international drug syndicates ever uncovered in Nigeria, arresting a suspected drug kingpin, three Mexican methamphetamine experts, and six Nigerian accomplices during coordinated operations across Ogun and Lagos states.
The crackdown also led to the discovery and destruction of what officials called the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever found in Nigeria. The facility was reportedly hidden deep inside a forest in the Ijebu area of Ogun State.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against transnational organised crime and illegal drug production in the country.
According to him, operatives from the agency’s Special Operations Unit carried out simultaneous raids in Ogun and Lagos within 48 hours after months of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
Marwa explained that the main target was a secluded property located inside Abidagba Forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, allegedly operated by a drug trafficking network led by suspected kingpin, Anochili Innocent.
NDLEA operatives reportedly stormed the forest camp on May 16 and caught members of the syndicate while illicit drugs were being processed.
Among those arrested were three Mexican nationals identified as methamphetamine production specialists allegedly recruited to oversee operations. They were named as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos.
Four Nigerian suspects apprehended at the laboratory were identified as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor.
At the same time, another NDLEA tactical team raided the Lekki residence of the alleged cartel leader at Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lagos, where Anochili was arrested.
Marwa said investigators recovered the passports and mobile phones of the three Mexican suspects from the residence, which allegedly linked the suspect directly to the recruitment and coordination of foreign methamphetamine experts.
Further operations on May 18 reportedly led officers to another property connected to the syndicate at Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, where another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, was arrested.
Operatives also raided the home of another alleged collaborator, Emeka Nwobum, who was said to have managed a strategic stash house for the network.
The arrests brought the total number of suspects in custody to 10, including the alleged kingpin, the three Mexican nationals, and six Nigerian collaborators.
According to Marwa, the operation resulted in the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of substances, including crystallised and liquid methamphetamine, precursor chemicals, and industrial solvents.
He estimated the international street value of the recovered drugs at 362.9 million dollars, equivalent to more than N480 billion.
The NDLEA also recovered operational vehicles, including a Toyota Tacoma allegedly used at the forest laboratory and a Toyota Highlander seized from the cartel leader’s residence.
Marwa warned that Nigeria would not become a safe haven for international drug syndicates or foreign criminal networks attempting to establish drug production bases in the country.
He noted that cartels were increasingly adopting new tactics, including bringing in foreign specialists from South America to establish illegal drug factories in remote communities.
The NDLEA chairman further linked the latest bust to the recent takedown of another international trafficking network allegedly headed by Simon Amadi, adding that the agency was strengthening collaboration with global law enforcement bodies to combat organised narcotics operations.
He also praised the agency’s Special Operations Unit, as well as its chemical and forensic experts, for what he described as exceptional professionalism and courage during the operation.
Marwa urged Nigerians to remain alert and report suspicious activities, revealing that the Ogun forest laboratory had reportedly operated under the cover of a legitimate farming business.
