The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major transnational methamphetamine production syndicate involving Nigerian and Mexican nationals, marking one of the most significant drug busts in Nigeria’s history. In a coordinated operation on May 16, 2026, NDLEA operatives uncovered and shut down what the agency described as the largest clandestine meth lab ever found in the country. The operation, led by NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects, including three Mexican nationals and the alleged kingpin of the cartel, Anochili Innocent.
The laboratory was located deep within the Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State. It was reportedly operated by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation. Seven suspects were apprehended at the site, including three Mexican nationals: Martinez Felix Nemecto, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos, 51. Four Nigerians were also arrested: Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 42; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38.
Simultaneously, a separate team raided the Lekki residence of the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lagos. He was arrested during the raid, and investigators recovered the international passports and mobile phones of the three Mexican suspects from his home, providing evidence of their illegal entry into Nigeria. Follow-up operations on May 18 led to the arrest of another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, 44, at a property in Mayfair Estate, Lakowe.
NDLEA also raided the residence of Emeka Nwobum, believed to have operated a stash house for the cartel. The operation yielded a massive haul of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals, with an estimated street value of $362.9 million, equivalent to approximately N480 billion. Recovered items included a Toyota Tacoma used at the lab and a Toyota Highlander from the kingpin’s residence.
Brig. Gen. Marwa emphasized that the operation was the result of months of intelligence gathering and highlighted the growing threat of foreign specialists from South America being recruited to establish drug production facilities in Nigeria. He warned that cartels are increasingly using rural areas to hide their operations, but assured the public that NDLEA remains vigilant. “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 declared.
The NDLEA chairman commended the Special Operations Unit and forensic teams for their crucial role in the operation and urged Nigerians to remain alert and report any suspicious activities. This high-profile bust underscores Nigeria’s ongoing battle against transnational drug trafficking and signals a strong commitment to dismantling such networks. The agency’s actions are expected to send a deterrent message to other criminal syndicates operating across borders.
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