The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a sophisticated Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine production syndicate, shutting down what it described as the largest clandestine meth laboratory ever discovered in the country.

The operation, carried out by operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit (SOU), led to the arrest of the alleged kingpin, three Mexican methamphetamine experts and six Nigerian collaborators.

Addressing journalists at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and targeted raids across Ogun and Lagos states.

Marwa said the coordinated operation, conducted within 48 hours last week, resulted in the discovery of an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory concealed in Abidagba forest, Ijebu East Local Council of Ogun State.

According to him, the laboratory was being operated by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation.

“Through a clinical, simultaneous operation executed by the elite operatives of our Special Operations Unit, we have successfully dismantled a sophisticated, transnational methamphetamine production syndicate run jointly by a Nigerian drug cartel and their Mexican counterparts,” he said.

“This network did not just traffic drugs; they were actively manufacturing industrial-scale quantities of highly lethal illicit substances right on our soil, threatening the national security and public health of Nigeria.”

Marwa said operatives stormed the forest laboratory on Saturday, May 16, 2026, catching members of the syndicate off guard while processing illicit substances.

Those arrested at the forest laboratory were identified as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 42; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38.

The three Mexican nationals arrested were Martinez Felix Nemecto, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos, 51.

Marwa said another tactical team simultaneously raided the Lekki residence of the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, located at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lagos, where he was arrested.

“A meticulous search of his premises led to the recovery of the international passports and mobile phones of the three arrested Mexican cooks, directly linking him to the importation and management of the foreign criminals,” he said.

He added that follow-up operations on Monday, May 18, 2026, led operatives to another property linked to the suspect at House 70, Close 3, Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, where another alleged syndicate member, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, 44, was arrested.

Investigators also raided the residence of another suspect, Emeka Nwobum, which the agency described as the cartel’s strategic stash house.

Marwa said the operation brought the total number of suspects in custody to 10, including the alleged kingpin, the three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian collaborators.

He disclosed that the agency recovered 2,419.48 kilogrammes of chemical substances, including crystallised and liquid methamphetamine, precursor chemicals and industrial solvents.

According to him, the seized drugs have an estimated international street value of $362.9 million, equivalent to about N480 billion.

“The operation yielded a massive 2,419.48 kilogrammes of chemical materials, including highly toxic, volatile, and crystallised methamphetamine worth $362,922,000 in the international market,” Marwa said.

Also recovered during the operation were a Toyota Tacoma vehicle allegedly used at the clandestine laboratory and a Toyota Highlander linked to the alleged kingpin.

Marwa said the latest breakthrough came shortly after the agency announced the dismantling of another international drug trafficking network headed by Simon Amadi in a joint operation involving the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and European law enforcement agencies.

He warned that the NDLEA would continue to target drug cartels operating within and outside Nigeria.

“We are fully aware of the shifting tactics of these cartels, including the disturbing trend of hiring South American cartel specialists to set up production factories in our rural communities,” he said.

“Let it be known that no matter how deep into the bush you hide, no matter how secure your gated estate is, the NDLEA will hunt you down, disrupt your networks, and seize your ill-gotten wealth.”

Marwa urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, noting that the Ogun forest laboratory had operated under the guise of a regular farm.