NDLEA Smashes Nigerian–Mexican Meth Syndicate, Seizes N480bn Drugs in Ogun Forest Raid

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a large Nigerian–Mexican methamphetamine cartel and seized drugs and precursor chemicals valued at about N480 billion in Ogun State.

The NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, announced the breakthrough in Abuja on Wednesday, describing the operation as one of the agency’s most significant successes against transnational organised crime.
According to him, the raid was executed by the agency’s Special Operations Unit following months of intelligence gathering. The coordinated operation spanned Ogun and Lagos States and was carried out within 48 hours.
Operatives stormed a hidden methamphetamine laboratory located in Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, which the agency described as the largest clandestine drug production site ever discovered in Nigeria.
At the site, seven suspects were arrested, including three Mexican nationals brought in as technical experts and four Nigerian collaborators.
In a parallel operation in Lagos, NDLEA officers arrested the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, at his Lekki residence. Items recovered from his home, including international passports and mobile phones, linked him to the foreign suspects.
Further follow-up raids led to additional arrests and the discovery of another stash location used by the syndicate. In total, 10 suspects are now in custody, including the cartel leader, three foreigners, and six Nigerians.
The agency’s forensic team also recovered more than 2,400 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals from the forest laboratory. The estimated international street value of the seizure exceeds $362 million.
Marwa warned that the case reflects a rising trend of local drug networks collaborating with foreign experts to establish clandestine drug production hubs within Nigeria.
He stressed that the operation was not only a drug bust but also a major national security intervention, noting that the network posed serious threats to public health and safety.
He further stated that Nigeria would no longer serve as a safe haven for drug cartels, pledging that the agency would continue to dismantle such criminal networks.
Marwa also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, revealing that the meth lab had been disguised as a farm to avoid detection.
He commended NDLEA operatives and international partners for their roles in the successful operation.