NDLEA Busts Nigerian-Mexican Meth Cartel, Arrests 3 Mexicans, Seizes N480bn Drugs in Ogun Forest

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

Three Mexican nationals and seven other suspected members of a transnational drug cartel have been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following the dismantling of a major methamphetamine production syndicate operating from a clandestine laboratory hidden in Ogun State forest.

According to a statement signed by the director of media and advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the operation also led to the recovery of methamphetamine, precursor chemicals and related materials valued at over N480 billion, described as the largest meth seizure and biggest clandestine laboratory ever uncovered in Nigeria.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed the development during a media briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

Marwa said operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit carried out coordinated raids across Ogun and Lagos states within 48 hours after months of intelligence gathering.

According to him, the main target was a remote camp located at Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, allegedly used by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation as an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory.

He said the suspects arrested at the forest laboratory included the three Mexican nationals identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos, 51, who were allegedly brought into Nigeria to manufacture methamphetamine.

Other suspects arrested at the site are Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 42; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; andEgwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38.

Marwa added that another tactical team arrested the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, at his residence located at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos.

He said a search of the residence led to the recovery of the international passports and mobile phones of the Mexican nationals, linking the suspect to their importation into Nigeria.

The NDLEA boss further disclosed that follow-up operations on 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, while another suspect, Emeka Nwobum, was linked to a stash house allegedly used by the cartel.

According to Marwa, a total of 10 suspects, including the alleged kingpin, the three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian collaborators, are currently in NDLEA custody.

He stated that forensic and chemical experts deployed to the laboratory recovered 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, precursor chemicals and industrial solvents valued at $362.9 million in the international market, equivalent to more than N480 billion.

Recovered exhibits include crystallised and liquid methamphetamine, a Toyota Tacoma vehicle allegedly used for operations at the laboratory, and a Toyota Highlander recovered from the residence of the alleged cartel leader.

Marwa warned drug traffickers and cartels that Nigeria had become a hostile environment for illicit drug production and trafficking, stressing that the agency would continue to track down criminal networks operating within and outside the country.

He also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities in their communities, noting that the clandestine laboratory in Ogun State operated under the guise of a regular farm.