NDLEA Dismantles Nigerian-Mexican Drug Syndicate, Arrests Kingpin, Three Mexican Nationals
NDLEA Dismantles Nigerian-Mexican Drug Syndicate, Arrests Kingpin, Three Mexican Nationals
NDLEA Dismantles Nigerian-Mexican Drug Syndicate, Arrests Kingpin, Three Mexican Nationals
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the dismantling of a sophisticated transnational drug syndicate involving Nigerian and Mexican operatives, leading to the discovery of what the agency described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever uncovered in Nigeria.
The operation, carried out by operatives of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit (SOU), resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects, including the alleged kingpin, three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian collaborators.
Addressing journalists at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and coordinated strikes across Ogun and Lagos states.
According to him, the primary target was a hidden methamphetamine production site located within Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, which investigators said served as an industrial-scale drug production facility.
Marwa said seven key members of the syndicate were arrested at the site, including three Mexican nationals allegedly brought into Nigeria to provide technical expertise for the production of methamphetamine.
The Mexican suspects were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles and Torrero Juan Carlos, while four Nigerian collaborators were also arrested at the location.
The NDLEA boss said another tactical team simultaneously arrested the alleged mastermind of the operation, Anochili Innocent, at his residence in Lakowe, Lekki area of Lagos State.
He disclosed that searches conducted at the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of international passports and mobile phones belonging to the arrested Mexican nationals, which investigators believe directly linked the suspect to the recruitment and movement of the foreign operatives.
Further operations later led to the arrest of another suspected syndicate member and the discovery of additional properties allegedly connected to the network.
According to NDLEA, the operation led to the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of chemical substances, including crystallised and liquid methamphetamine, precursor chemicals and industrial solvents.
The agency estimated the street value of the recovered substances at approximately $362.9 million.
Marwa said the operation highlights an emerging trend where local drug networks are allegedly collaborating with foreign criminal groups to establish illicit drug production facilities in Nigeria.
He warned that the agency would continue targeting drug trafficking organisations and their collaborators, regardless of their location.
The NDLEA Chairman also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities in their communities, particularly unusual movements and suspected illegal operations disguised as legitimate businesses.
The statement was signed by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja.
NDLEA Dismantles Nigerian-Mexican Drug Syndicate, Arrests Kingpin, Three Mexican Nationals
