NDLEA smashes Nigerian-Mexican meth cartel, arrests three Mexicans, others
NDLEA Dismantles International Methamphetamine Syndicate
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully dismantled a transnational methamphetamine production syndicate operated by Nigerian and Mexican nationals. The operation resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects, including three from Mexico and the alleged kingpin of the cartel.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retired) made the announcement during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday. He stated that agents from the agency’s Special Operations Unit (SOU) conducted coordinated operations in Ogun and Lagos states on May 16, 2026, uncovering what Marwa described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory discovered in Nigeria.
The laboratory, located in the Abidagba forest of Ijebu East Local Government Area, was reportedly functioning under the auspices of the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation. Seven suspects were apprehended at the site, with the three Mexican nationals identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos, 51. The four Nigerian suspects were named as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 42; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38.
Simultaneously, NDLEA operatives raided the Lagos residence of the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street in Golf Estate, Lakowe, where he was arrested. Investigators recovered international passports and mobile devices belonging to the Mexican suspects at the residence, establishing a link to their alleged activities in Nigeria.
Marwa noted that follow-up operations on May 18 led to the arrest of another syndicate member, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, 44, at a property associated with the alleged cartel leader in Mayfair Estate, Lakowe. Additional searches revealed the residence of another suspect, Emeka Nwobum, who is believed to have operated a stash house for the cartel.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals. Marwa estimated the street value of the materials at $362.9 million, approximately N480 billion. Recovered items included a Toyota Tacoma associated with laboratory operations and a Toyota Highlander discovered at the kingpin’s residence.
The NDLEA chairman emphasized that the operation was the culmination of months of intelligence gathering. He warned that the agency will persist in targeting drug trafficking organizations within Nigeria. Marwa also alleged that certain cartels are recruiting foreign specialists from South America to establish methamphetamine production facilities in rural areas of the country.
Marwa commended the Special Operations Unit and forensic teams for their contributions to the initiative. He called on citizens to report any suspicious activities in their neighborhoods, stating, “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.”
