NDLEA Busts Nigerian-Mexican Meth Cartel, Seizes N480bn Drugs

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine cartel, arresting a drug baron, three Mexican cooks and six Nigerian collaborators in coordinated operations across Ogun and Lagos states.

NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, disclosed this on Wednesday during a media briefing in Abuja, describing the operation as one of the agency’s biggest breakthroughs against transnational organised crime.

According to him, operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit stormed a massive clandestine meth laboratory hidden inside Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where seven suspects were arrested while processing illicit drugs.

Those arrested at the forest laboratory included four Nigerians: Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, alongside three Mexican nationals identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles and Torrero Juan Carlos.

Simultaneously, another NDLEA team raided the Lekki residence of the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, at Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lagos, where he was arrested.

Marwa said operatives recovered the international passports and phones of the Mexican suspects from the kingpin’s residence, linking him directly to the importation of the foreign meth experts.

Further operations led to the arrest of another syndicate member, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, while investigators also uncovered a stash house linked to another suspect, Emeka Nwobum.

The NDLEA boss said the operation led to the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals valued at about $362.9 million, estimated at over N480 billion.

Recovered items also included vehicles allegedly used for the cartel’s operations.

Marwa warned international drug cartels that Nigeria had become hostile territory for narcotics operations, stressing that the agency would continue to track and dismantle criminal networks across the country.

He said the discovery of the forest laboratory exposed a growing trend where local drug syndicates recruit foreign experts to establish large-scale drug production factories in remote communities.

Marwa urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, adding that the Ogun laboratory operated under the cover of a regular farm.