By The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the dismantling of a major transnational methamphetamine cartel involving Nigerian and Mexican nationals, following coordinated operations in Ogun and Lagos states.
In an update, dated May 20, 2026 and signed by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, the agency said the operation led to the discovery of what it described as the largest clandestine meth laboratory ever uncovered in Nigeria, hidden inside a forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, said operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit carried out simultaneous raids within 48 hours after months of intelligence gathering.
According to the NDLEA, 10 suspects were arrested during the operation, including alleged drug kingpin Anochili Innocent, three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian collaborators.
The three Mexican suspects were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles and Torrero Juan Carlos.
Other suspects arrested at the forest laboratory include Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor.
NDLEA operatives also arrested another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, during follow-up operations at Mayfair Estate in Lakowe, Lagos.
Marwa said the operation uncovered 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals valued at about $362.9 million, estimated at over N480 billion.
He said the laboratory was located on a remote farm at Abidagba forest in Ogun State and operated under the cover of an agricultural business.
The NDLEA chairman disclosed that investigators also stormed the Lekki residence of the alleged cartel leader, where they recovered the international passports and mobile phones of the arrested Mexican nationals.
He said the operation further confirmed intelligence reports indicating that local drug cartels were importing foreign experts to establish meth production facilities in Nigeria.
Marwa described the seizure as a major blow to transnational organised crime networks operating in the country.
“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,” he said.
He warned criminal syndicates against using Nigeria as a base for narcotics production and trafficking.
“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 stated.
The NDLEA boss commended the agency’s Special Operations Unit and forensic teams for what he called their professionalism and precision during the operation.
He also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, strange chemical odours and unusual activities within their communities.
