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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has blown up a transnational methamphetamine production factory in Ogun State jointly operated by a Nigerian drug cartel and Mexican collaborators
Ten suspects were reportedly arrested with illegal drugs and chemicals worth over N480 billion recovered during the operation.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this on Wednesday during a press conference at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Marwa said the operation, carried out by the agency’s Special Operations Unit, led to the discovery and closure of the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever discovered in Nigeria.
According to him, the laboratory was hidden in Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State and operated by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation.
He said the coordinated operation was carried out simultaneously in Ogun and Lagos states on Saturday, May 16 2026, after months of intelligence gathering.
Marwa said, “Through clinical and simultaneous operations conducted by our elite Special Operations Unit agents, we have successfully dismantled a sophisticated transnational methamphetamine production syndicate run jointly by Nigerian drug cartels and their Mexican partners.
“This network doesn’t just traffic drugs; they also actively produce highly lethal illicit substances in large quantities in our region.”
He revealed that seven cartel members were arrested in the jungle laboratory, including three Mexican nationals who were allegedly brought to Nigeria to produce methamphetamine.
Marwa said the arrested Mexicans were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos, 51.
According to him, the Nigerian suspects arrested at the location included Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 42; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38.
Marwa added that another tactical team arrested the alleged kingpin of the Anochili Innocent cartel at his residence located on Jalan Tafawa Balewa No. 8, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos.
According to him, a search of the residence resulted in the discovery of the passport and cell phone of the arrested Mexican citizen, which linked the suspects directly to their importation and activities in Nigeria.
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He further revealed that a follow-up operation on May 18 led to the arrest of another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, 44, at another property linked to the cartel at Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, Lekki.
The NDLEA boss said the agents also raided the residence of another syndicate member, Emeka Nwobum, which was suspected to be the cartel’s safe house.
He said the total number of suspects arrested in connection with the syndicate had risen to 10, consisting of the alleged baron, three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian collaborators.
Marwa stated that from this operation, 2,419.48 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and chemical precursors were found.
“The operation yielded 2,419.48 kilograms of chemicals, including highly toxic, volatile and crystallized methamphetamine worth $362,922,000 on the international market. This amounts to over N480 billion,” he said.
“Also confiscated from the cartel included: a Toyota Tacoma vehicle used for operations in a secret methamphetamine laboratory, and a Toyota Highlander confiscated from the kingpin’s residence.
“To put that in perspective, the 2,419.48 kilograms of finished and liquid methamphetamine confiscated represent millions of doses circulating on the market that would flood local communities and international markets, causing untold destruction, psychosis and violence,” he said.
Marwa warned that the NDLEA will continue to target drug cartels and their collaborators across the country.
“We are fully aware of the changing tactics of these cartels, including the disturbing trend of employing South American cartel specialists to set up production plants in our rural communities,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities in their communities, noting that the secret laboratory in Ogun operates under the cover of ordinary farms.
𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎 : 𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗔 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮-𝗠𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝘀𝗲𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 𝗡480𝗯𝗻 𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗴𝘂𝗻
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has disbanded a transnational methamphetamine production syndicate jointly operated by… https://t.co/kpPqOj4FL8 pic.twitter.com/BDM0bYLIHQ
— Newspaper Punch (@MobilePunch) May 20, 2026
