By Omoyeni Ojeifo
In a major intelligence-led operation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA, has dismantled what officials described as the largest methamphetamine production facility hidden inside a forest in Ogun State, and arrested three Mexican chemists, a suspected drug kingpin, and six Nigerian collaborators.
The operation which exposed a sophisticated Nigerian–Mexican drug manufacturing network, also led to the seizure of over 2.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals valued at over N480 billion.
Persecondnews correspondent who covered the media briefing, reports that retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa disclosed this at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
“Today I am proud to announce that the NDLEA has again struck another crippling blow to the hands of transnational organized crime,” Marwa said, adding that the breakthrough followed months of intelligence gathering on a cartel led by Anochili Innocent.
He said the syndicate had established a fully operational methamphetamine production facility hidden deep inside Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
He explained that operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit carried out simultaneous raids on Saturday, May 16, 2026, targeting both the forest laboratory in Ogun and the suspect’s residence in Lagos.
According to him, while one team stormed the drug production site concealed within the forest, another moved on the suspect’s residence at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki.
“At the Ogun forest laboratory, NDLEA operatives arrested seven suspects. The Mexican nationals arrested at the facility were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos, 51,” he noted.
The Nigerian suspects arrested alongside them were Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 42; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38.
Simultaneously, Anochili Innocent, the alleged cartel leader, was arrested at his Lagos residence, where a search reportedly led to the recovery of international passports and mobile phones belonging to the Mexican suspects, linking him directly to their importation and coordination.
Follow up intelligence led raids conducted on Monday, May 18, 2026, also expanded the operation further, with NDLEA operatives moving to another property linked to the syndicate at House 70, Close 3, Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos State, where a suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, 44, was arrested.
In a separate move, investigators also raided the residence of another alleged associate, Emeka Nwobum, whose property was reportedly being used as a major storage point for illicit substances connected to the cartel.
The coordinated arrests brought the total number of suspects in custody to 10, comprising the cartel leader, three Mexican nationals, and six Nigerian collaborators.
Marwa said the agency’s Chemical and Forensic Team was deployed to the forest laboratory to secure and analyse the recovered substances and precursor chemicals used in the production process.
He valued the seizure at $362,922,000 in the international market, equivalent to over N480 billion, describing it as one of the biggest drug busts in Nigeria’s history.
Also a Toyota Tacoma used in the operation and a Toyota Highlander linked to the cartel leader were also recovered.
Marwa said the latest breakthrough underscores the growing involvement of foreign expertise in local drug production networks and the rising threat of synthetic drugs in Nigeria.
He warned that Nigeria would not become a safe haven for drug manufacturing or trafficking networks.
“We are fully aware of the shifting tactics of these cartels, including the disturbing trend of hiring South American cartel specialists to set up production factories in our rural communities.
“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,” he pronounced.
The NDLEA Boss also applauded the operatives for what he described as a highly disciplined, precise and professionally executed operation.
“I commend the extraordinary bravery, professionalism, and precision of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit operatives and our Chemical and Forensic Team. Nigeria owes you all a debt of gratitude,” he said.
Urging Nigerians to report suspicious local activity, Marwa warned that drug traffickers are increasingly hiding their illicit operations behind legitimate fronts like farms.
He emphasized that community intelligence is essential to uncovering these hidden threats.
Persecondnews recalls that barely two weeks ago, the NDLEA announced the successful takedown of a high profile drug trafficking organization headed by Simon Amadi in a complex multi-country operation involving the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as law enforcement agencies from Greece, France, Switzerland, and India
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