The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine production syndicate, arrested 10 suspects and seized illicit drugs and chemicals valued at over N480 billion.
The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, disclosed this during a media briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Marwa said the operation, carried out by operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit (SOU), led to the discovery and shutdown of what he described as the biggest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever uncovered in Nigeria.
According to him, the laboratory was located in a remote forest at Abidagba in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
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He said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and involved coordinated raids in Ogun and Lagos states within 48 hours.
Marwa said seven suspects, including three Mexican nationals and four Nigerians, were arrested at the forest laboratory while allegedly processing illicit substances.
The Mexican suspects were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos, 51.
The Nigerians arrested at the laboratory were identified as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 42; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38.
He added that another tactical team simultaneously raided the Lekki residence of the alleged kingpin, Anochili Innocent, at Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lagos, where he was arrested.
According to Marwa, operatives recovered the international passports and mobile phones of the three Mexican nationals from the suspect’s residence.
The NDLEA boss said follow-up operations on May 18 also led to the arrest of another syndicate member, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, 44, at a property linked to the alleged cartel leader in Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, Lagos.
He said operatives later stormed the residence of another suspect, Emeka Nwobum, allegedly used as the cartel’s stash house.
Marwa said the arrests brought the total number of suspects in custody to 10, including the alleged cartel leader, three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian collaborators.
He said NDLEA forensic and chemical experts recovered 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals valued at 362.9 million dollars in the international market.
According to him, the drugs were estimated at over N480 billion.
Marwa added that a Toyota Tacoma vehicle allegedly used for operations at the laboratory and a Toyota Highlander linked to the alleged kingpin were also recovered.
He warned drug cartels against operating in Nigeria, saying the agency would continue to track and dismantle criminal networks across the country.
