NDLEA arrests Nigeria-Mexico drug syndicate, seizes N480bn drugs in Ogun

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a transnational methamphetamine production syndicate allegedly operated by a Nigerian drug cartel in collaboration with Mexican nationals, leading to the arrest of 10 suspects.

 

The agency also recovered illicit drugs and chemicals valued at more than N480 billion during the operation.

 

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this on Wednesday during a media briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

 

Marwa said operatives of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit uncovered and shut down what he described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever discovered in Nigeria.

 

The laboratory was concealed in Abidagba Forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, and allegedly operated by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation.

 

According to Marwa, the coordinated operation was carried out simultaneously in Ogun and Lagos states on Saturday, May 16, 2026, after months of intelligence gathering.

 

“Through a clinical, simultaneous operation executed by the elite operatives of our Special Operations Unit, we have successfully dismantled a sophisticated, transnational methamphetamine production syndicate run jointly by a Nigerian drug cartel and their Mexican counterparts,” Marwa said.

 

“This network did not just traffic drugs; they were actively manufacturing industrial-scale quantities of highly lethal illicit substances right on our soil.”

 

Seven suspects were arrested at the forest laboratory, including three Mexican nationals identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos, 51.

 

The Nigerian suspects arrested at the site were identified as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 42; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38.

 

Marwa said another tactical team arrested the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, at his residence in Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos.

 

He added that passports and mobile phones belonging to the Mexican suspects were recovered from the residence.

 

A follow-up operation on May 18 also led to the arrest of Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, 44, at another property linked to the syndicate in Lakowe.

 

NDLEA operatives further raided the residence of another suspect, Emeka Nwobum, allegedly used as the cartel’s stash house.

 

Marwa said the operation led to the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals.

 

“The operation yielded a massive 2,419.48 kilograms of chemical materials, including highly toxic, volatile and crystallised methamphetamine worth $362,922,000 in the international market. This translates to over N480bn,” he said.

 

The agency also recovered a Toyota Tacoma vehicle allegedly used for operations at the laboratory and a Toyota Highlander linked to the alleged kingpin.

 

Marwa warned drug cartels and their collaborators that the agency would sustain efforts to dismantle illicit drug networks nationwide.

 

“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.

 

He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, noting that the Ogun laboratory operated under the guise of a regular farm.

 

The development comes days after NDLEA operatives in Edo State destroyed two cannabis farms in Ago Forest, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, with an estimated yield of 1,388.42 kilograms.

 

The Edo State Command also confirmed the arrest of four suspected drug traffickers within the past week.