National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has uncovered and dismantled a large-scale methamphetamine production laboratory hidden inside a forest in Ogun State, leading to the arrest of three Mexican nationals and several Nigerian suspects linked to an international drug trafficking syndicate.
The anti-narcotics agency disclosed that operatives raided the illegal facility located in the Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State after months of intelligence gathering and coordinated surveillance operations across Ogun and Lagos states.
Authorities said the operation resulted in the seizure of more than 2.4 tonnes of methamphetamine and chemical substances valued at over N480 billion in the international illicit drug market, making it one of the largest meth-related busts recorded in Nigeria in recent years.
Brandspur Crime News reports that the clandestine laboratory was allegedly operated by a Nigerian drug cartel working in collaboration with foreign methamphetamine experts recruited from Mexico to manufacture the illicit substance locally for international distribution.
According to the agency, tactical teams simultaneously stormed a residential property in the Lakowe area of Lekki, Lagos, where the suspected cartel leader identified as Anochili Innocent was apprehended during the coordinated crackdown.
The NDLEA confirmed that the arrested Mexican nationals were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos, while several Nigerian collaborators were also taken into custody during the operation.
Investigators revealed that operatives recovered large quantities of crystallised methamphetamine, liquid chemical mixtures, industrial solvents, and precursor substances allegedly used in the illegal production process.
Officials added that vehicles believed to have been used for the cartel’s operations, including a Toyota Tacoma and a Toyota Highlander SUV, were also seized during the raids linked to the syndicate.
The agency warned that the illegal laboratory posed serious threats to public health and national security, stressing that the dismantling of the network marks a significant breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against transnational organised drug trafficking.
NDLEA further stated that investigations are ongoing to track additional members of the syndicate and uncover the wider international network connected to the operation.
