The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a Nigerian-Mexican drug syndicate operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State, arresting 10 suspects and recovering illicit drugs and chemicals valued at over N480 billion.
Chairman of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, describing the facility as the largest methamphetamine laboratory ever uncovered in Nigeria.
According to Marwa, the laboratory was concealed inside the Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State and was allegedly operated by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation in collaboration with Mexican nationals.
He said NDLEA operatives carried out coordinated raids in Ogun State and Lagos State on May 16 after months of intelligence gathering.
Seven suspects, including three Mexicans identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos, were arrested at the forest laboratory alongside four Nigerian collaborators.
The alleged kingpin, Anochili Innocent, was later arrested at his residence in Lekki, Lagos, while another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, was apprehended during follow-up operations.
Marwa said operatives also raided a stash house linked to the syndicate, bringing the total number of arrests to 10.
The NDLEA boss revealed that 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals worth about 362.9 million dollars in the international market were recovered during the operation.
Recovered items also included vehicles allegedly used for the cartel’s operations.
Marwa warned that the agency would continue to target drug cartels and foreign collaborators involved in establishing illicit drug production facilities in Nigeria.
