The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has dismantled a major transnational drug syndicate involving Nigerian and Mexican operatives, arresting a cartel leader, three foreign experts and six other suspects, while recovering methamphetamine and precursor chemicals valued at about N480 billion.
Chairman and Chief Executive of the agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, disclosed this at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, describing the operation as one of the most significant breakthroughs in Nigeria’s fight against organised drug crime.
Marwa said the operation was carried out by the agency’s Special Operations Unit following months of intelligence gathering, leading to coordinated raids across Ogun and Lagos states within 48 hours.
Those arrested at the forest laboratory include Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, alongside Mexican nationals Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles and Torrero Juan Carlos.
The agency said it dismantled a methamphetamine laboratory hidden inside a forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where over 2.4 tonnes of methamphetamine and chemical materials were recovered.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the industrial-scale laboratory was jointly operated by a Nigerian drug cartel and Mexican methamphetamine experts, adding that the operation involved simultaneous raids in Ogun and Lagos states on May 16 after months of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
The primary target was a remote farm in Abidagba forest, Ijebu East, used as a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation.
Another tactical team also stormed a residence in the Lakowe area of Lekki, Lagos, where the mastermind, Anochili Innocent, was arrested.
Marwa said additional suspects, including Kingsley Orike Omonughwa and Emeka Nwobum, were also arrested in follow-up operations linked to the cartel.
The NDLEA said the total number of suspects in custody rose to 10, including the kingpin, three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian collaborators.
Babafemi said operatives recovered 2,419.48 kilograms of chemical materials, including methamphetamine products, toxic precursors and industrial solvents.
The agency also recovered a Toyota Tacoma vehicle used in operations at the forest laboratory and a Toyota Highlander from the residence of the cartel leader.
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