NDLEA ARRESTS NIGERIA–MEXICO DRUG SYNDICATE, SEIZES N480BN DRUGS IN OGUN

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By; Sunmola Ganiyat

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a transnational methamphetamine production syndicate involving a Nigerian drug cartel and Mexican collaborators, leading to the arrest of 10 suspects.

The agency also recovered illicit drugs and precursor chemicals valued at over N480bn during the operation.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this on Wednesday during a briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Marwa said the operation, carried out by the Special Operations Unit, uncovered and shut down what he described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever discovered in Nigeria.

According to him, the lab was located inside Abidagba Forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State and was operated by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation.

He explained that the operation was executed simultaneously in Ogun and Lagos states on Saturday, May 16, 2026, after months of intelligence-led surveillance.

Marwa stated that the agency successfully dismantled a sophisticated international drug network jointly run by Nigerian and Mexican suspects.

He added that the group was not only trafficking drugs but also producing large-scale quantities of methamphetamine within Nigeria.

Seven suspects were initially arrested at the forest laboratory, including three Mexican nationals allegedly brought into the country for drug production. The foreigners were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto (46), Jesus López Valles (40), and Torrero Juan Carlos (51).

The Nigerian suspects arrested at the site include Nwankwo Sunday Christian (41), Igwe Abuchi Remijus (42), Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua (23), and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor (38).

Marwa further revealed that operatives later arrested the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, at his residence on Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos. A search of his home reportedly led to the recovery of passports and mobile phones belonging to the Mexican suspects, linking him directly to their activities.

He added that follow-up operations led to the arrest of another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa (44), at a property in Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, while another raid targeted the residence of Emeka Nwobum, allegedly used as a stash house.

In total, 10 suspects were arrested in connection with the syndicate, comprising the alleged ringleader, three Mexicans, and six Nigerians.

Marwa disclosed that the operation also led to the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals.

He estimated the value of the seized substances at $362,922,000 in the international market, equivalent to over N480bn.

According to him, vehicles including a Toyota Tacoma and a Toyota Highlander were also recovered during the raids.

He warned that drug cartels were increasingly recruiting foreign experts to establish production sites in rural areas across Nigeria, adding that the NDLEA would intensify its crackdown on such networks.

Marwa also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, noting that the dismantled laboratory had operated under the disguise of a farm.

He further referenced recent anti-drug operations in Edo State, where cannabis farms were destroyed and several suspects arrested.