The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has dismantled a major international drug syndicate involving Nigerian traffickers and Mexican collaborators, recovering methamphetamine and chemical substances valued at over N480 billion during coordinated operations in Ogun and Lagos states.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Buba Marwa, disclosed the development on Wednesday during a media briefing in Abuja, describing the operation as the agency’s largest crackdown on an illegal methamphetamine production network in the country.
According to Marwa, the syndicate operated a massive clandestine meth laboratory hidden inside Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun.
He explained that operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit carried out simultaneous raids in Ogun and Lagos on May 16 after months of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
“This network did not just traffic drugs; they were actively manufacturing industrial-scale quantities of highly lethal illicit substances right on our soil,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA boss revealed that seven suspects were arrested at the forest laboratory, including three Mexican nationals allegedly brought into Nigeria to assist in methamphetamine production.
The arrested foreigners were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles and Torrero Juan Carlos.
Nigerian suspects apprehended during the operation include Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor.
Marwa said the alleged leader of the syndicate, Anochili Innocent, was later arrested at his residence in Lekki, Lagos.
He added that operatives recovered passports and mobile phones belonging to the Mexican suspects from the residence, which investigators believe directly connects the suspect to the foreign operatives.
Another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, was subsequently arrested in Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, while a suspected drug storage facility linked to another syndicate member, Emeka Nwobum, was also raided.
The NDLEA said a total of 10 suspects have now been arrested in connection with the cartel.
Marwa disclosed that the operation led to the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals estimated at $362.9 million in the international market.
He warned that the agency remained concerned about the growing trend of international drug cartels recruiting foreign specialists to establish meth production laboratories in Nigeria.
“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 stated.
Marwa urged members of the public to report suspicious activities in their communities, noting that the illegal laboratory in Ogun operated under the disguise of a normal agricultural settlement.
Meanwhile, the agency also confirmed the destruction of two cannabis plantations in Ago Forest, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo.
According to the NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the farms produced about 1,388.42 kilograms of cannabis, while four suspected traffickers were arrested in related operations.
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