Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled what the agency describes as Nigeria’s largest-ever clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, a sophisticated industrial-scale facility hidden deep in a remote forest in Ogun State and operated by a Nigerian-Mexican drug trafficking syndicate.
The breakthrough came after months of intelligence gathering. Elite officers of the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit launched coordinated raids in Ogun and Lagos states.
The primary target was a remote farm in Abidagba forest (also referenced in connection with nearby communities including Iroto/Iloti and Mowe areas) in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Disguised as an ordinary farm settlement, the site housed a highly organised methamphetamine production laboratory complete with power supply, water storage, living quarters, a store and kitchen facilities, indicating plans for sustained long-term operations shielded by dense forest cover.
Seven suspects were arrested at the laboratory while substances were being processed. They included three Mexican nationals identified as methamphetamine production experts — Martinez Felix Nemecto (also rendered Nemecio Martinez Felix), 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos (also Juan Carlos Meza Torrero), around 49–51 — who were allegedly brought into the country specifically to provide technical expertise for large-scale synthesis.
Four Nigerians were also arrested at the site: Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus (Remujus), around 42–43; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38.
Follow-up operations in Lagos led to the arrest of the alleged kingpin and financier, Anochili Innocent (around 63), at his residence in Lekki, along with associates Omonughwa Kingsley Orike and Emeka Nwobum (Nwobum Emeka).
The total number of suspects in custody reached 10 — three Mexicans and seven Nigerians. Prosecutors have described Anochili as the organiser of the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO) and noted dual Nigerian-Mexican citizenship in related court proceedings.
NDLEA operatives recovered approximately 2,419.48 kilograms (over 2.4 tonnes) of methamphetamine (finished and in process) along with precursor chemicals and industrial solvents, including significant quantities of toluene, hydrochloric acid, acetone, and others such as P2P and phenylacetic acid.
The haul was valued at more than $362 million (approximately ₦480 billion) on the international market — the largest such seizure in the agency’s history. Vehicles linked to the operation, including a Toyota Tacoma and a Toyota Highlander, were also recovered.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) described the laboratory as evidence that transnational cartels are attempting to establish industrial-scale synthetic drug production bases in Nigeria, particularly in the Southwest.
He warned that the cartels “thought hiding in dense forests would shield them from the long arm of the law but were wrong,” and stated that Nigeria is becoming a hostile environment for such criminal enterprises. Marwa later inspected the site and emphasised continued pursuit of kingpins, their assets and networks.
Subsequent forensic analysis, aided by equipment provided through U.S. cooperation, identified at least one precursor chemical linked to fentanyl production among the materials recovered — a development Marwa called “bad news” that heightens concerns about evolving threats. The laboratory was later dismantled under court order due to environmental risks from the toxic chemicals.
The 10 suspects face charges related to conspiracy, manufacturing, possession and trafficking of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
NDLEA has opposed bail applications, citing the international nature of the syndicate and flight risk. President Bola Tinubu commended the agency for the operation, praising the professionalism that led to the arrests and the massive seizure.
The discovery forms part of a broader pattern. Roughly four weeks later, NDLEA uncovered another industrial-scale meth lab in a forest in Oyo State involving a Mexican specialist and Nigerian collaborators, reinforcing concerns that drug networks are seeking to turn the Southwest into a manufacturing hub for synthetic drugs.
NDLEA continues to urge community vigilance and inter-agency collaboration to prevent remote forests from becoming safe havens for illicit production. All suspects remain in custody pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
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