NDLEA dismantles ₦480 billion forest drug lab in Ogun, arrests Mexican and Nigerian syndicate members

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has uncovered and dismantled a massive transnational methamphetamine production network operating from a clandestine forest laboratory in Ogun State, in what officials describe as one of the most significant anti-drug operations in recent times..

The agency said the operation led to the seizure of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals worth more than ₦480 billion, along with the arrest of 10 suspects including the alleged kingpin, identified as Anochili Innocent, three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian collaborators.

The secret drug factory was located deep in Abidagba forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area of ​​Ogun State, where operatives discovered that large-scale methamphetamine production was taking place under the guise of a legitimate farming business.

NDLEA President and CEO Buba Marwa said the breakthrough came after months of carefully coordinated intelligence gathering and simultaneous raids in Ogun and Lagos states within a 48-hour window.

According to Marwa, agents from the agency’s Special Operations Unit raided the forestry facility on May 16, capturing syndicate members in the act of processing highly toxic and volatile chemicals.

“Through a clinical, simultaneous operation, we dismantled a sophisticated transnational methamphetamine production syndicate jointly operated by a Nigerian cartel and their Mexican counterparts,” Marwa said.

He revealed that in a parallel operation in Lagos State, operatives raided a luxury residence in the Lekki area where the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, was arrested at his Golf Estate mansion.

The NDLEA chief added that the raid led to the recovery of international passports and cell phones belonging to the arrested Mexican citizens, further exposing the cross-border structure of the drug network.

The agency revealed that a total of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals were recovered from the forestry laboratory, with an estimated international market value of $362.9 million.

He further revealed that follow-up operations had uncovered further syndicate-linked storage locations within Lagos, while investigations continued into the wider network.

Marwa warned that drug trafficking organizations are adopting increasingly sophisticated cover-up strategies, including recruiting foreign specialists to set up clandestine laboratories in remote parts of the country.

“We are fully aware of their evolving tactics. No matter how hidden they are or how exclusive their holdings, we will hunt them down, dismantle their networks and seize their ill-gotten wealth,” he said.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, stressing that the Ogun forest laboratory had been operating under the cover of a legitimate farm while functioning as a large-scale drug manufacturing centre.

The NDLEA said investigations are ongoing to unravel the full international links and financial architecture of the cartel.

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