By Oluwakemi Kindness
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned a suspected drug baron, Anochili Innocent, three Mexican nationals and six Nigerians over an alleged ₦480 billion methamphetamine production operation uncovered in Ogun State.
NDLEA charged the suspects before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, with operating a clandestine laboratory, producing illicit drugs, trafficking and possession of controlled substances.
The agency said its operatives uncovered the illegal laboratory deep inside a forest in Mowe, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where they recovered 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine with an estimated international market value of more than ₦480 billion.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Friday says the suspects were arrested during coordinated operations in Ogun and Lagos states between May 16 and 18, 2026.
The agency identified the three Mexican nationals arrested as Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix and Jesus López Valles. It said operatives also arrested four Nigerians at the laboratory, while the alleged leader of the syndicate, Anochili Innocent, was arrested at his residence in Lekki, Lagos.
NDLEA said follow-up operations led to the arrest of two other suspected members of the group and the recovery of additional evidence from properties linked to the syndicate.
The 11-count charge filed against the defendants includes conspiracy to establish a clandestine laboratory, financing a drug trafficking organisation, transporting precursor chemicals and producing methamphetamine.
The agency said operatives recovered chemicals including 1,834 kilograms of hydrochloric acid, 358 kilograms of toluene and 22.5 kilograms of acetone, alongside other substances used in drug production.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court ordered that they remain in custody at the Correctional Centre in Lagos and adjourned the case to July 16 and 22, 2026, for trial and hearing of bail applications.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the case as a major breakthrough against industrial-scale drug production in Nigeria.
Marwa said the arrest of foreign nationals linked to the operation shows the growing international nature of drug trafficking networks attempting to establish production bases in Nigeria.
He assured that NDLEA would continue to target drug cartels and their local partners, while urging Nigerians to provide information that can support efforts to combat illicit drug activities.
