NDLEA has uncovered a major Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine syndicate in Ogun State and arrested three Mexican chemists alongside several Nigerian suspects during coordinated operations in Ogun and Lagos.
NDLEA Uncovers Forest Drug Laboratory
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) described the operation as the biggest seizure of a hidden methamphetamine laboratory in Nigeria’s history.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Buba Marwa, announced details of the operation during a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja.
Furthermore, Marwa said the cartel ran a large-scale methamphetamine laboratory hidden inside Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State. He also said the syndicate operated luxury homes and support bases in Lagos.
Meanwhile, months of intelligence gathering helped the agency’s Special Operations Unit carry out coordinated raids across Ogun and Lagos within 48 hours.
Mexican Chemists, Nigerian Suspects Arrested
However, NDLEA operatives stormed the forest laboratory on May 16 and allegedly caught members of the syndicate while processing illegal substances.
Among those arrested were three Mexican nationals identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles and Torrero Juan Carlos. According to Marwa, the syndicate brought them into Nigeria to provide technical support for methamphetamine production.
Furthermore, NDLEA arrested four Nigerian suspects identified as Nwankwo Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua and Egwuonwu Victor at the forest facility.
Lagos Raids Expose Alleged Cartel Network
Meanwhile, operatives also raided a residence in Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos, where they arrested alleged cartel leader Anochili Innocent.
Marwa said investigators recovered the Mexican suspects’ passports and mobile phones from the residence. He said the items linked the alleged kingpin to the importation and coordination of the foreign specialists.
Consequently, further operations led to the arrest of another suspected syndicate member, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, at Mayfair Estate, Lakowe. Operatives also traced Emeka Nwobum to a stash house allegedly used for storage and logistics activities.
NDLEA Seizes Drugs Worth Over N480bn
Furthermore, Marwa said the operation produced 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals, including toxic industrial substances used to make synthetic drugs.
He estimated the international market value of the seizure at $362.9 million, which equals more than N480 billion.
“This quantity translates into millions of street doses capable of destroying lives, fueling violent crimes, and destabilising communities both locally and internationally,” Marwa said.
Meanwhile, operatives recovered a Toyota Tacoma allegedly used for activities at the forest laboratory and a Toyota Highlander linked to the alleged cartel leader.
In response, Marwa warned international drug syndicates against using Nigeria as a base for illegal operations.
“No matter how remote your hideout is or how fortified your mansion may appear, the NDLEA will find you, dismantle your operations, and confiscate the proceeds of your criminal enterprise,” he declared.
Furthermore, he said intelligence reports showed that some local drug networks now recruit foreign chemists and cartel operatives from Latin America to establish methamphetamine laboratories in remote communities across Nigeria.
Marwa also praised NDLEA officers involved in the operation and urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities within their communities.
