The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA has dismantled what it described as a highly sophisticated Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine production syndicate, shutting down the largest clandestine drug laboratory ever uncovered in Nigeria and arresting 10 suspects, including three Mexican nationals and the cartel’s alleged kingpin.
The operation, carried out by the agency’s Special Operations Unit (SOU), led to the discovery of an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory hidden in a remote forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Speaking during a media briefing at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and coordinated enforcement actions across Ogun and Lagos states.
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According to Marwa, the raid dealt a significant blow to transnational organised crime and exposed the growing collaboration between local drug cartels and foreign criminal networks.
“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,” he said.
Marwa disclosed that operatives stormed the clandestine laboratory located in Abidagba forest in Ijebu East on May 16, 2026, catching members of the syndicate off guard while processing illicit substances.
Among those arrested at the forest laboratory were four Nigerians identified as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, alongside three Mexican nationals identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles and Torrero Juan Carlos.
The NDLEA boss said the arrest of the Mexican nationals confirmed intelligence reports that Nigerian drug cartels were importing foreign technical experts to establish methamphetamine production facilities in the country.
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Simultaneously, another tactical team raided the Lekki residence of the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, located at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lagos, where he was arrested.
Marwa said operatives recovered the international passports and mobile phones of the three Mexican suspects from the residence, linking the suspect directly to their recruitment and operations in Nigeria.
He added that follow-up operations on May 18 led to the arrest of another syndicate member, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, at a property linked to the kingpin in Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, while investigators also uncovered another property allegedly used as the cartel’s stash house.
According to the NDLEA chairman, the operation resulted in the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of chemical substances, including crystallised and liquid methamphetamine, precursor chemicals and industrial solvents.
He estimated the street value of the seized drugs at over $362.9 million, equivalent to more than N480 billion.
“The 2,419.48 kilograms of finished and liquid methamphetamine seized represents millions of street doses that would have flooded our communities and international markets, causing untold destruction, psychosis and violence,” Marwa stated.
The agency also recovered a Toyota Tacoma vehicle allegedly used for operations at the clandestine laboratory and a Toyota Highlander linked to the cartel leader.
Marwa noted that the dismantling of the syndicate came shortly after the takedown of another international drug trafficking network headed by Simon Amadi, which involved collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and European law enforcement agencies.
He warned drug traffickers and criminal networks that Nigeria would no longer serve as a safe haven for illicit drug operations.
“We are fully aware of the shifting tactics of these cartels, including the disturbing trend of hiring South American cartel specialists to set up production factories in our rural communities,” he said.
“No matter how deep into the bush you hide, or how secure your estate is, the NDLEA will hunt you down, dismantle your networks and seize your illicit wealth.”
Marwa commended the bravery and professionalism of NDLEA operatives and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, especially unusual chemical odours or movements in rural communities.