The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA has dismantled a transnational methamphetamine production syndicate involving Nigerian and Mexican nationals.
The agency arrested 10 suspects in total, including three Mexican nationals and an alleged cartel kingpin during coordinated operations carried out in Ogun and Lagos States.
This was disclosed by the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to him, operatives from the agency’s Special Operations Unit conducted raids on May 16, 2026, which led to the discovery and shutdown of what he described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever uncovered in Nigeria.
The laboratory was located in Abidagba forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State and was allegedly operated by a drug trafficking network known as the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation.
Seven suspects were arrested at the forest site, including three Mexicans identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto (46), Jesus López Valles (40), and Torrero Juan Carlos (51), along with four Nigerian suspects.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives raided a residence in Lekki, Lagos, where the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, was arrested. Authorities said passports and mobile phones belonging to the Mexican suspects were recovered from the location, linking him to their alleged entry into Nigeria.
Further follow-up raids led to additional arrests of suspected collaborators and the discovery of more linked properties.
The agency said a total of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals were seized, with an estimated street value of about $362.9 million (around ₦480 billion).
Recovered items included vehicles allegedly used for operations, such as a Toyota Tacoma and a Toyota Highlander.
Marwa warned that drug cartels are increasingly recruiting foreign specialists to establish production bases in Nigeria’s rural areas, adding that the agency will continue to dismantle such networks regardless of their location or sophistication.
