NDLEA Dismantles Nigerian-Mexican Meth Syndicate, Arrests Drug Baron
Oru Leonard
Three Mexicans in Major Crackdown
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has dismantled a major transnational methamphetamine production syndicate involving Nigerian and Mexican cartel members, recovering illicit drugs and precursor chemicals valued at over N480 billion from what authorities described as the largest clandestine meth laboratory ever uncovered in Nigeria.
Addressing journalists at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and coordinated strikes across Ogun State and Lagos State.
According to Marwa, operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit stormed a remote forest camp at Abidagba in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State on May 16, 2026, where the cartel operated an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory concealed as a farm.
He said the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects at the forest laboratory, including three Mexican nationals allegedly brought into Nigeria to manufacture methamphetamine. Those arrested include Nigerians Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, alongside Mexican suspects Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos.
Marwa disclosed that a simultaneous operation in the Lekki area of Lagos led to the arrest of the alleged kingpin of the syndicate, Anochili Innocent, at his residence located on Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe.
He said investigators recovered the international passports and mobile phones of the arrested Mexican nationals from the suspect’s residence, linking him directly to the recruitment and importation of the foreign methamphetamine specialists.
The NDLEA boss added that follow-up operations on May 18 led operatives to another property linked to the cartel at Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, where another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, was arrested. Investigators also raided the residence of another alleged syndicate member, Emeka Nwobum, said to have served as the cartel’s stash house.
Marwa stated that the arrests brought the total number of suspects in custody to 10, including the cartel leader, the three Mexican nationals, and six Nigerian collaborators.
He revealed that NDLEA’s Chemical and Forensic Team recovered 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals during the operation, describing it as the largest methamphetamine seizure in the agency’s history.
According to him, the seized substances, including crystallized and liquid methamphetamine as well as industrial solvents and precursor chemicals, are estimated to be worth about $362.9 million on the international market, equivalent to over N480 billion.
The agency also recovered operational vehicles allegedly used by the cartel, including a Toyota Tacoma truck from the forest laboratory and a Toyota Highlander SUV from the residence of the alleged kingpin.
Marwa warned drug cartels operating in Nigeria that the country had become hostile territory for narcotics trafficking and clandestine drug manufacturing.
He said the dismantling of the Anochili Innocent drug trafficking organization, coming shortly after the takedown of another syndicate led by Simon Amadi, demonstrated the agency’s determination to target criminal drug networks operating within and outside Nigeria.
The NDLEA chairman also expressed concern over what he described as the growing trend of Nigerian drug cartels importing foreign experts from South America to establish illicit drug production facilities in rural communities.
He commended operatives of the Special Operations Unit and the agency’s forensic team for what he described as their professionalism and bravery during the operation, while urging Nigerians to report suspicious movements, unusual chemical odours, and activities in their communities.
Marwa reiterated the agency’s commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against drug trafficking syndicates and ensuring Nigeria remains inaccessible to international drug cartels.
