NDLEA Dismantles Nigeria-Mexico Drug Syndicate, Seizes N480bn Worth of Methamphetamine in Ogun

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has broken up a transnational methamphetamine production network operated jointly by a Nigerian drug cartel and Mexican collaborators, arresting 10 suspects and seizing illicit drugs valued at over N480 billion.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), announced the development on Wednesday at a media briefing in Abuja. He described the operation as the largest dismantling of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever recorded in Nigeria.

The laboratory was hidden in the Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State and was being run by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation. The coordinated raid took place simultaneously in Ogun and Lagos states on Saturday, May 16, 2026, following months of intelligence gathering.

According to Marwa, seven members of the cartel were arrested at the forest laboratory, including three Mexican nationals brought into Nigeria specifically to produce methamphetamine. The Mexicans were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos, 51.

Nigerian suspects apprehended at the site included Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 42; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38.

The alleged kingpin of the cartel, Anochili Innocent, was arrested at his residence in the Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos. A search of his home led to the recovery of passports and mobile phones belonging to the Mexican nationals, directly linking him to their entry and activities in Nigeria.

A follow-up operation on May 18 led to the arrest of another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, 44, at a separate property linked to the cartel in Mayfair Estate, Lakowe. Operatives also raided the residence of another syndicate member, Emeka Nwobum, which served as the cartel’s stash house.

The total number of suspects arrested has risen to 10, comprising the alleged baron, three Mexican nationals, and six Nigerian collaborators.

Marwa stated that the operation yielded 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals, with an estimated international market value of $362,922,000, equivalent to over N480 billion.

He warned that the NDLEA would continue to target drug cartels and their collaborators, noting the disturbing trend of South American cartel specialists being hired to set up production factories in rural communities. He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.