The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered what it described as a massive methamphetamine production laboratory hidden inside a forest in Ogun State, leading to the arrest of three Mexican nationals and several Nigerian suspects.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, operatives dismantled the facility during coordinated raids carried out in Ogun and Lagos states on May 16.
Babafemi said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and targeted a clandestine laboratory located in Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The agency said more than 2.4 tonnes of methamphetamine and chemical substances valued at over $362 million, equivalent to more than N480 billion, were recovered during the raid.
The NDLEA alleged that the facility was jointly operated by a Nigerian drug trafficking syndicate and Mexican methamphetamine specialists brought into the country to manufacture the illicit drug.
Babafemi said operatives from the agency’s Special Operations Unit stormed the forest laboratory while another team simultaneously raided a residence in the Lakowe area of Lekki, Lagos, where the suspected kingpin, identified as Anochili Innocent, was arrested.
The three Mexican nationals arrested were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles and Torrero Juan Carlos.
The Nigerian suspects arrested at the forest site include Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor.
The agency also confirmed the arrest of another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, at a property linked to the alleged cartel leader in Lekki. NDLEA operatives further raided the residence of another syndicate member, Emeka Nwobum, which investigators said was being used as a stash house.
NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, said the total number of suspects in custody had risen to 10, including the alleged kingpin, the three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian collaborators.
Babafemi disclosed that the seized materials included crystallised methamphetamine, liquid methamphetamine, toxic precursor chemicals and industrial solvents.
The agency also recovered a Toyota Tacoma allegedly used for operations at the forest laboratory and a Toyota Highlander linked to the alleged cartel leader.
