The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled what it described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever discovered in Nigeria, arresting a suspected drug baron, three Mexican nationals and six other collaborators.
The operation, carried out by the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit, targeted a forest hideout in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State and properties linked to the syndicate in Lagos State.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and coordinated surveillance.
According to him, operatives launched simultaneous raids in Ogun and Lagos between May 16 and May 18.
“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.
The NDLEA said seven suspects were initially arrested at the forest laboratory, including three Mexican nationals allegedly brought into Nigeria to manufacture methamphetamine.
The arrested suspects include Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, alongside the three Mexican nationals identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos.
Simultaneously, another team of operatives stormed a residence located at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos, where the alleged kingpin of the cartel, Anochili Innocent, was arrested.
Marwa disclosed that the international passports and mobile phones of the arrested Mexican suspects were recovered from the residence.
Further operations later led to the arrest of another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, at another property in Mayfair Estate, Lekki.
The agency said another location linked to suspect Emeka Nwobum was identified as a strategic stash house for the syndicate.
According to the anti-drug agency, the operation led to the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and chemical substances valued at over ₦480bn.
Marwa said the substances included toxic precursor chemicals, industrial solvents and crystallised methamphetamine.
He added that the estimated international street value of the recovered drugs stood at over $362.9m.
“The operation yielded a massive 2,419.48 kilograms of chemical materials, including highly toxic, volatile, and crystallized methamphetamine worth $362,922,000 in the international market,” he stated.
The NDLEA also recovered a Toyota Tacoma vehicle allegedly used for operations at the clandestine laboratory and a Toyota Highlander linked to the cartel leader.
Marwa said the latest operation, coming shortly after the takedown of another international drug syndicate linked to Simon Amadi, sends a strong message to drug traffickers operating in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a hostile territory for their business,” he warned.
“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.”
The NDLEA boss urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, especially unusual chemical odours or movements in rural communities.
According to him, the methamphetamine factory in Ogun State was disguised as a regular farm.
“This war is for the soul of our nation, and we will not back down until we achieve a drug-free Nigeria,” Marwa added.
