NDLEA Dismantles Nigerian-Mexican Meth Syndicate, Seizes N480bn Drugs In Ogun Forest

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major transnational drug syndicate involving Nigerian and Mexican operatives, arresting a cartel leader, three foreign experts and six other suspects, while recovering methamphetamine and precursor chemicals valued at about N480 billion.

Chairman and Chief Executive of the agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, disclosed the development at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, describing the operation as one of the most significant breakthroughs in Nigeria’s fight against organised drug crime.

Marwa said the operation, carried out by the agency’s Special Operations Unit, followed months of intelligence gathering and culminated in coordinated raids across Ogun and Lagos states within 48 hours.

According to him, the primary target was a remote facility in Abidagba forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where operatives uncovered what he described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever detected in Nigeria.

Seven suspects were arrested at the site, including three Mexican nationals identified as technical experts allegedly brought into the country to manufacture the drug, alongside four Nigerian collaborators.

Those arrested at the forest laboratory include Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, as well as the Mexican nationals, Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles and Torrero Juan Carlos.

In a simultaneous operation, NDLEA operatives stormed a residence in the Lakowe area of Lekki, Lagos, where the alleged mastermind of the syndicate, Anochili Innocent, was arrested. Items recovered from the residence included international passports and mobile phones belonging to the Mexican suspects, linking him to their recruitment and activities.

Further follow-up operations led to the arrest of another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, at a separate property in the same area, while investigators also uncovered a stash house linked to another member of the network.

Marwa said a total of 10 suspects are currently in custody.

He disclosed that the operation led to the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals, estimated at $362.9 million, equivalent to over N480 billion.

The NDLEA boss noted that the quantity recovered could have translated into millions of street doses, posing severe risks to public health and national security.

He warned that Nigeria would no longer serve as a safe haven for drug cartels, citing a growing trend of foreign specialists being recruited to establish local production facilities.

“This sends a clear message that Nigeria is now a hostile environment for drug trafficking and manufacturing operations,” Marwa said, adding that the agency would continue to track and dismantle such networks.

He commended the professionalism of NDLEA operatives and acknowledged the support of international partners, while urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, particularly in rural areas where such illegal operations may be concealed.