Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agency, has arraigned an alleged drug kingpin, three Mexican nationals and six other suspects over what authorities describe as one of the largest clandestine methamphetamine production facilities ever uncovered in the country, with drugs valued at more than N480 billion on the international market.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday brought the 10 defendants before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court in Lagos on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, operation of a super clandestine laboratory, production of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of precursor chemicals and running a drug trafficking organisation.
The defendants include alleged cartel leader Anochili Innocent, 63, alongside Mexican nationals Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, 49; Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46; and Jesus López Valles, 40, as well as six Nigerian collaborators.
According to the NDLEA, the suspects were arrested during coordinated operations between May 16 and 18, 2026, following the discovery of a sophisticated methamphetamine factory hidden deep inside a forest in Mowe, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Investigators alleged that the syndicate established the industrial-scale laboratory between February and May this year, where they manufactured 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine destined for the international illicit drug market.
The agency also recovered huge quantities of precursor chemicals, including 1,834 kilograms of hydrochloric acid, 358 kilograms of toluene, 22.5 kilograms of acetone, as well as phenyl-2-propane (P2P) and phenyl acetic acid used in meth production.
NDLEA said the alleged cartel leader, Anochili, was arrested at his luxury residence in the Lakowe area of Lekki, Lagos, while subsequent raids led to the arrest of two additional members of the syndicate at separate properties allegedly linked to the drug operation.
The prosecution accused the defendants of establishing and financing a criminal drug trafficking organisation and transporting precursor chemicals from Lagos to the Ogun forest laboratory using multiple vehicles.
Anochili faces an additional charge of permitting his property to be used for the manufacture of illicit drugs.
All 10 defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read.
Although the prosecution was prepared to open its case and called seven witnesses after serving proof of evidence on the defence, defence counsel requested additional time to prepare.
Justice Kakaki subsequently ordered that all the defendants be remanded at the Lagos Correctional Centre and adjourned proceedings to July 16 and 22 for trial and the hearing of their bail applications.
Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), described the case as one of the most significant blows ever dealt to industrial-scale narcotics production in Nigeria.
He said the involvement of Mexican nationals highlighted the growing efforts by international drug cartels to establish Nigeria as a manufacturing hub for methamphetamine destined for global markets.
“The presence of Mexican nationals among those arrested and arraigned today speaks to the alarming reach of international drug cartels now attempting to entrench themselves in Nigeria, but the Agency will not relent in tracking down and dismantling every such network, no matter how well concealed or well-financed,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug cartels and urged Nigerians to continue providing intelligence that would assist ongoing anti-drug operations across the country.
The prosecution is expected to begin presenting evidence when the trial resumes later this month.
