The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine syndicate, arresting a suspected drug baron, three Mexican nationals, and six Nigerian collaborators during coordinated operations in Ogun and Lagos states.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the operation as one of the agency’s biggest breakthroughs against transnational organised crime.
According to him, operatives of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit carried out simultaneous raids after months of intelligence gathering, leading to the discovery and shutdown of what he described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever uncovered in Nigeria.
The illegal laboratory was located deep inside Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State and allegedly operated by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation.
Marwa said seven suspects were arrested at the forest laboratory, including three Mexican nationals allegedly brought into the country to manufacture methamphetamine. The suspects include Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos.
He added that another tactical team stormed the Lekki residence of the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, at Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lagos, where he was arrested. Investigators reportedly recovered the international passports and mobile phones of the three Mexican suspects from the residence.
Further operations later led to the arrest of another suspected syndicate member, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, at Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, while another property linked to a suspect identified as Emeka Nwobum was uncovered and allegedly used as a stash house for the cartel.
The NDLEA boss disclosed that the operation resulted in the recovery of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals valued at about 362.9 million dollars, estimated at over N480 billion in the international market.
He said operatives also recovered a Toyota Tacoma vehicle allegedly used for operations at the meth laboratory and a Toyota Highlander linked to the cartel leader.
Marwa noted that the seizure represented millions of street doses capable of causing widespread destruction, violence, and addiction if allowed into circulation.
He warned that Nigeria had become a hostile environment for drug cartels and vowed that the agency would continue to track and dismantle criminal networks operating within and outside the country.
The NDLEA chairman also expressed concern over the growing trend of foreign drug experts being recruited by local syndicates to establish drug production facilities in rural communities.
He commended the agency’s Special Operations Unit and Chemical and Forensic Team for what he described as professionalism and bravery during the operation, while urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities in their communities.