Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agency has uncovered a major Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine syndicate operating from a hidden forest laboratory in Ogun State, arresting three Mexican chemists and several Nigerian suspects during coordinated raids in Ogun and Lagos states.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) described the operation as the largest clandestine methamphetamine seizure in Nigeria’s history.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Buba Marwa, disclosed details of the operation during a press briefing on Wednesday at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to Marwa, the cartel operated an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory concealed inside Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, while maintaining luxury residences and operational bases in Lagos.
He said months of intelligence gathering culminated in coordinated tactical operations carried out by the agency’s Special Operations Unit across Ogun and Lagos states within 48 hours.
Marwa said operatives stormed the forest laboratory on May 16 and caught members of the syndicate allegedly processing illicit substances.
Among those arrested were three Mexican nationals identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles and Torrero Juan Carlos, who were allegedly brought into Nigeria to provide technical expertise for methamphetamine production.
The agency also arrested four Nigerian suspects identified as Nwankwo Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua and Egwuonwu Victor at the forest facility.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives raided a residence in Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos, where alleged cartel leader Anochili Innocent was arrested.
Marwa said investigators recovered the passports and mobile phones of the Mexican suspects from the residence, linking the alleged kingpin to the importation and coordination of the foreign methamphetamine specialists.
Further operations led to the arrest of another suspected syndicate member, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, at a property in Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, while Emeka Nwobum was traced to a stash house allegedly used for storage and logistics.
The NDLEA boss said the operation yielded 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals, including toxic industrial substances used in the manufacture of synthetic narcotics.
He estimated the international market value of the seizure at $362.9 million, equivalent to more than N480 billion.
“This quantity translates into millions of street doses capable of destroying lives, fueling violent crimes, and destabilising communities both locally and internationally,” Marwa said.
Vehicles recovered during the raid included a Toyota Tacoma allegedly used for operations at the forest laboratory and a Toyota Highlander linked to the alleged cartel leader.
Marwa warned that Nigeria would no longer serve as a safe haven for international drug syndicates seeking to establish clandestine narcotics factories.
“No matter how remote your hideout is or how fortified your mansion may appear, the NDLEA will find you, dismantle your operations, and confiscate the proceeds of your criminal enterprise,” he declared.
He also said intelligence reports pointed to a growing trend of local drug networks recruiting foreign chemists and cartel operatives from Latin America to establish methamphetamine laboratories in isolated rural communities across the country.
Marwa praised the professionalism of NDLEA operatives involved in the operation and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant by reporting suspicious movements and unusual activities within their communities.
Michael Olugbode
