The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a large-scale Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine cartel and shut down an industrial clandestine laboratory hidden in Abidagba forest, Ijebu East LGA, Ogun State. The 48-hour operation across Ogun and Lagos last week led to the arrest of the cartel’s kingpin, Anochili Innocent, three Mexican technical experts, and six Nigerian collaborators. It is the biggest meth lab and seizure in Nigeria’s history.
According to NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), the raid on 16 May 2026 recovered 2,419.48kg of chemical materials and finished methamphetamine worth $362.9m, about N480bn. Seven suspects were arrested at the forest lab, including Mexican nationals Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos, who were brought in to produce the drug. Simultaneous operations in Lekki led to the arrest of Innocent at his Golf Estate residence and later to two more collaborators, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa and Emeka Nwobum, with vehicles and documents seized. One of the recovered children from an earlier case was also linked to the syndicate’s operations.
Marwa said the takedown, coming after the Simon Amadi cartel bust, sends a clear message that Nigeria is hostile territory for drug cartels. He warned that the Agency would continue hunting networks using foreign specialists to set up rural labs, and praised the NDLEA Special Operations Unit for the precision operation. He urged Nigerians to report suspicious activity, noting the Ogun lab operated under the cover of a farm, and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to a drug-free Nigeria with support from international partners.
