National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has dismantled a transnational drug syndicate involving Nigerian and Mexican operatives, recovering methamphetamine and precursor chemicals valued at about ₦480 billion.
Chairman of the agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, disclosed the development during a media briefing in Abuja, describing the operation as one of the agency’s biggest breakthroughs against organised drug trafficking.
According to Marwa, the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and led to coordinated raids across Ogun State and Lagos State within 48 hours.
NDLEA operatives uncovered what was described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever detected in Nigeria at a facility hidden inside Abidagba Forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Seven suspects were arrested at the site, including three Mexican nationals identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos, who were allegedly brought into Nigeria as technical experts for drug production.
Four Nigerian suspects arrested at the facility were identified as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor.
In a separate operation in the Lakowe area of Lekki, Lagos, operatives arrested the alleged syndicate leader, Anochili Innocent. Investigators said items recovered from the residence, including international passports and mobile phones belonging to the Mexican suspects, linked him to the operation.
Another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, was also arrested during follow up raids.
Marwa said a total of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals estimated at $362.9 million were recovered during the operation.
He warned that the volume of drugs seized posed a serious threat to public health and national security, adding that Nigeria would no longer serve as a safe haven for international drug cartels.