The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has dismantled a major transnational drug network involving Nigerian and Mexican nationals, in what officials described as one of the most significant methamphetamine seizures in the country’s history.
The operation led to the arrest of 10 suspects, including three Mexican nationals and the alleged kingpin of the cartel. The agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, announced the breakthrough during a briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
Marwa said the breakthrough followed coordinated operations by the agency’s Special Operations Unit in Ogun and Lagos states on May 16, 2026, leading to the discovery of a massive clandestine methamphetamine laboratory hidden inside Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area. He described it as the largest illegal drug production site ever uncovered in Nigeria.
Seven suspects were arrested at the forest site, comprising three Mexicans Martinez Felix Nemecto (46), Jesus López Valles (40), and Torrero Juan Carlos (51) alongside four Nigerians: Nwankwo Sunday Christian (41), Igwe Abuchi Remijus (42), Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua (23), and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor (38).
In a follow-up operation, operatives traced the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, to his residence in Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lagos, where he was arrested. According to the NDLEA, international passports and mobile phones belonging to the Mexican suspects were recovered from the property, suggesting a link to their entry and coordination in Nigeria.
Further raids on May 18 led to the arrest of another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa (44), at a second property in Lakowe, while Emeka Nwobum was picked up at a suspected stash house linked to the syndicate. The agency said it recovered 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals valued at about $362.9 million (around N480 billion), along with vehicles allegedly used in the operation, including a Toyota Tacoma and a Toyota Highlander. Marwa warned that the NDLEA would continue its crackdown on drug cartels and noted an emerging trend of foreign specialists being recruited to establish production labs in rural parts of Nigeria.
Elijah Adeyemi
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