PICTORIAL: NDLEA Busts Nigerian-Mexican Meth Cartel, Seizes N480bn Drugs, Arrests 10

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a transnational Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine syndicate, arresting a suspected drug baron, three Mexican nationals, and six other collaborators during coordinated operations in Ogun and Lagos States.

The agency also uncovered what it described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever discovered in Nigeria, hidden inside a forest in Ijebu area of Ogun State, with meth and precursor chemicals valued at over N480 billion recovered.

Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance carried out by operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit.

Marwa said the operation was executed simultaneously across Ogun and Lagos within 48 hours, targeting a drug trafficking organisation allegedly headed by one Anochili Innocent.

“Through a clinical, simultaneous operation executed by the elite operatives of our Special Operations Unit, we have successfully dismantled a sophisticated, transnational methamphetamine production syndicate run jointly by a Nigerian drug cartel and their Mexican counterparts,” Marwa stated.

“This network did not just traffic drugs; they were actively manufacturing industrial-scale quantities of highly lethal illicit substances right on our soil, threatening the national security and public health of Nigeria.”

According to him, the primary target of the operation was a remote farm located at Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, which served as a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory.

“At the farm in the Ijebu forest, our operatives overran the clandestine laboratory, securing the perimeter and catching the syndicates completely off-guard,” he said.

Marwa disclosed that seven suspects were arrested at the forest laboratory, including three Mexican nationals allegedly brought into Nigeria to manufacture methamphetamine.

The suspects arrested at the site were identified as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 42; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38; alongside the three Mexican nationals identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos, 51.

Simultaneously, another tactical team reportedly stormed the Lekki residence of the alleged kingpin, Anochili Innocent, located at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lagos, where he was arrested.

According to Marwa, a search of the residence led to the recovery of international passports and mobile phones belonging to the arrested Mexican suspects.

“The drug baron was cornered and arrested. A meticulous search of his premises led to the recovery of the international passports and mobile phones of the three arrested Mexican cooks, directly linking him to the importation and management of the foreign criminals,” he said.

The NDLEA chairman further revealed that follow-up operations carried out on Monday, May 18, led to the arrest of another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, 44, at another property linked to the syndicate in Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, Lagos.

Investigators also raided the residence of another alleged cartel member, Emeka Nwobum, said to have served as the syndicate’s stash house.

Marwa said the total number of suspects currently in NDLEA custody had risen to 10, including the alleged drug baron, three Mexican nationals, and six Nigerian collaborators.

Providing details of the seizure, the NDLEA boss disclosed that operatives recovered 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine substances and precursor chemicals estimated to be worth $362.9 million on the international market.

“The operation yielded a massive 2,419.48 kilograms of chemical materials, including highly toxic, volatile, and crystallized methamphetamine worth $362,922,000 in the international market. This translates to over N480 billion,” he said.

He added that operatives also recovered a Toyota Tacoma allegedly used for operations at the meth laboratory and a Toyota Highlander seized from the residence of the suspected kingpin.

“To put this in perspective, the 2,419.48 kilograms of finished and liquid methamphetamine seized represents millions of street doses that would have flooded our local communities and international markets, causing untold destruction, psychosis, and violence,” Marwa added.

The NDLEA chairman said the latest breakthrough came shortly after the agency announced the dismantling of another international drug trafficking organisation allegedly headed by Simon Amadi.

He warned drug cartels and traffickers that Nigeria had become hostile territory for illicit drug operations.

“We are fully aware of the shifting tactics of these cartels, including the disturbing trend of hiring South American cartel specialists to set up production factories in our rural communities,” he warned.

“Let it be known that no matter how deep into the bush you hide, no matter how secure your gated estate is, the NDLEA will hunt you down, disrupt your networks, and seize your ill-gotten wealth.”

Marwa also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities within their communities, noting that the Ogun forest laboratory had been operating under the guise of a regular farm.

“This war is for the soul of our nation, and we will not back down until we achieve a drug-free Nigeria,” he said.

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