NDLEA Busts Mega Nigerian-Mexican Meth Syndicate, Seizes N480bn Drugs In Largest Lab Raid Ever
By Bukar BOLORI
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has dismantled what officials described as one of the most sophisticated transnational drug syndicates ever uncovered in Nigeria, arresting a notorious drug baron, three Mexican methamphetamine experts, and six Nigerian collaborators in a sweeping operation spanning Ogun and Lagos states.
The operation also led to the discovery and destruction of what the agency called the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever found in the country, hidden deep inside a forest in Ijebu area of Ogun State.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, disclosed the details on Wednesday during a media briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, describing the raid as a major blow against transnational organised crime and illicit drug manufacturing networks operating in Nigeria.
According to Marwa, elite operatives from the agency’s Special Operations Unit executed coordinated strikes across Ogun and Lagos within 48 hours after months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
He said the primary target was a remote property located inside Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, allegedly operated by a drug trafficking organisation headed by suspected kingpin, Anochili Innocent.
Marwa revealed that operatives stormed the forest laboratory on May 16, catching members of the cartel while processing illicit substances.
Among those arrested were three Mexican nationals identified as methamphetamine production specialists allegedly brought into Nigeria to run the operation.
They were named as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos.
Four Nigerian collaborators arrested at the laboratory were identified as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor.
Simultaneously, another tactical team raided the Lekki residence of the alleged cartel leader at Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lagos, where Anochili was arrested.
Marwa said a search of the property uncovered the passports and mobile phones of the three Mexican suspects, linking the alleged drug baron directly to the importation and coordination of foreign methamphetamine specialists.
The NDLEA boss disclosed that follow-up operations on May 18 led operatives to another property linked to the suspect at Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, where another alleged syndicate member, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, was arrested.
Investigators also stormed the residence of another suspected collaborator, Emeka Nwobum, said to have operated a strategic stash house for the cartel.
The arrests brought the total number of suspects in custody to 10, including the kingpin, the Mexican specialists, and six Nigerian collaborators.
Marwa said the operation yielded an unprecedented 2,419.48 kilograms of chemical substances, including crystallised and liquid methamphetamine as well as dangerous precursor chemicals and industrial solvents.
He estimated the international street value of the seized narcotics at 362.9 million dollars, equivalent to over N480 billion.
According to him, the volume of drugs recovered represented millions of potential street doses capable of fueling addiction, violence, and organised crime across local and international markets.
The agency also recovered operational vehicles including a Toyota Tacoma allegedly used at the forest laboratory and a Toyota Highlander seized from the cartel leader’s residence.
Marwa warned that Nigeria would remain hostile territory for drug cartels and foreign criminal networks attempting to establish manufacturing bases in the country.
“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, no matter how secure your gated estate is, the NDLEA will hunt you down, dismantle your network, and seize your illicit wealth.”
The NDLEA chairman also linked the latest operation to the recent takedown of another international drug trafficking network allegedly headed by Simon Amadi, saying the agency was intensifying cooperation with global law enforcement partners to combat organised narcotics operations.
He commended operatives of the Special Operations Unit and the agency’s chemical and forensic teams for what he described as exceptional professionalism and bravery during the operation.
Marwa also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, warning that the Ogun forest laboratory had operated under the guise of a legitimate farm.
