NDLEA Smashes Nigeria-Mexico Drug Cartel, Seizes N480bn Worth of Meth in Ogun
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has recorded one of the biggest breakthroughs in Nigeria’s fight against illicit drug trafficking after dismantling a powerful transnational drug syndicate allegedly operated by a Nigerian cartel in collaboration with Mexican nationals. The massive operation led to the arrest of 10 suspects and the recovery of methamphetamine and dangerous chemicals valued at over N480bn.
The agency disclosed that the operation was carried out after months of intelligence gathering and coordinated surveillance across Ogun and Lagos states. According to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit stormed a hidden laboratory located deep inside the Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where methamphetamine was allegedly being produced on an industrial scale. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Marwa described the facility as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever discovered in Nigeria, warning that international drug cartels are increasingly targeting rural communities in the country as production bases for hard drugs. He explained that the syndicate was not only trafficking narcotics but actively manufacturing lethal substances capable of flooding both local and international markets.
Among those arrested during the raid were three Mexican nationals identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos, who were allegedly brought into Nigeria to supervise and coordinate the production process. Several Nigerian suspects were also apprehended at the laboratory site, including Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor.
The NDLEA also carried out follow-up operations in Lagos, leading to the arrest of the alleged kingpin of the cartel, identified as Anochili Innocent, at his residence in the Lekki area. Investigators reportedly recovered the passports and mobile phones belonging to the arrested Mexican suspects from the residence, strengthening claims that the suspect coordinated the arrival and activities of the foreign drug experts in Nigeria. Another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, was later arrested during a separate operation linked to the syndicate’s activities.
According to the agency, the operation led to the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals used in the production of synthetic narcotics. Marwa revealed that the seized drugs have an estimated international market value of about $362.9 million, which translates to more than N480bn. Vehicles allegedly used by the cartel for operations were also confiscated during the raid.
The NDLEA boss stressed that the successful operation prevented millions of doses of dangerous drugs from reaching Nigerian streets and foreign markets. He warned that the agency would continue to intensify efforts against international drug syndicates attempting to use Nigeria as a hub for narcotics production and trafficking.
Marwa further urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities within their communities, noting that the Ogun laboratory operated secretly under the guise of a regular farming operation. The development comes amid growing concerns over the increasing sophistication of drug trafficking networks operating across West Africa.
