Nigeria’s anti-narcotics authority has uncovered a major Nigerian-Mexican drug syndicate operating a hidden methamphetamine laboratory inside a forest in Ogun State, arresting three Mexican chemists alongside several Nigerian collaborators during coordinated raids across Ogun and Lagos states.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) described the bust as the largest clandestine methamphetamine seizure recorded in the country’s history.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Buba Marwa, disclosed the details on Wednesday during a press briefing at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, the cartel ran an industrial-scale methamphetamine production facility concealed within Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, while also maintaining upscale residential bases and operational networks in Lagos.
He explained that months of intelligence gathering led to coordinated tactical raids carried out within 48 hours by the agency’s Special Operations Unit across both states.
Marwa said operatives stormed the forest laboratory on May 16, where members of the syndicate were caught in the act of processing illicit substances.
Among those arrested were three Mexican nationals identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles and Torrero Juan Carlos, who were allegedly brought into the country to provide technical expertise in methamphetamine production.
The agency also arrested four Nigerian suspects at the forest site, identified as Nwankwo Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua and Egwuonwu Victor.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives raided a residence at Golf Estate, Lakowe, in Lekki, Lagos, where they arrested an alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent.
Marwa said investigators later recovered the passports and mobile phones of the Mexican suspects from the property, linking the alleged leader to the importation and coordination of the foreign chemists.
Further operations led to the arrest of another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, at a property within Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, while Emeka Nwobum was tracked to another hideout allegedly used for logistics and storage.
The NDLEA boss said the operation resulted in the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals, including toxic industrial substances used in the production of synthetic drugs.
He estimated the value of the seized drugs in the international market at about $362.9 million, equivalent to over 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.
Vehicles recovered during the raids included a Toyota Tacoma allegedly used at the forest laboratory and a Toyota Highlander linked to the suspected cartel leader.
Marwa warned that Nigeria would no longer serve as a safe haven for international drug trafficking networks attempting to establish clandestine laboratories within the country.
“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.
He also noted that intelligence reports indicated a rising trend of local drug networks recruiting foreign chemists and cartel operatives, particularly from Latin America, to establish methamphetamine labs in isolated rural communities across Nigeria.
Marwa commended the professionalism of NDLEA operatives involved in the operation and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities within their communities.
