Agency Dismantles Industrial-Scale Lab Hidden in Ogun Forest as Court Remands All 10 Suspects
Felix Mbata, Lagos state
In what officials have described as one of the largest narcotics busts in Nigerian history, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an industrial-scale clandestine methamphetamine laboratory hidden deep in Mowe forest, Ijebu East LGA, Ogun State, and arraigned 10 suspects including a Nigerian drug baron and three Mexican nationals.
The suspects were arraigned on Friday, 10th July 2026 before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos on an 11-count charge over the production of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of N480,000,000,000.00 in the international market.
HOW THE CARTEL WAS BUSTED
According to NDLEA, coordinated operations between 16th and 18th May 2026 led to the arrests across Ogun and Lagos States.
Those picked up at the super lab on 16th May include:
Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 43; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38; and the three Mexican methamphetamine experts — Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, 49.
The alleged mastermind, Anochili Innocent, 63, was arrested simultaneously at his luxury residence at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos.
In follow-up raids on 18th May, operatives arrested Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, 45 at House 70, Close 3, Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, and Emeka Nwobum, 59, whose property was used as the cartel’s strategic stash house.
THE 11-COUNT CHARGE
The prosecution team accused the defendants of conspiring between February and 16th May 2026 to establish a clandestine laboratory for the production of methamphetamine, contrary to Section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act.
Other counts include:
- Managing, organising and financing a drug trafficking organisation – Sec 20(1)(g)
- Unlawful transportation of precursor chemicals from Lagos to Mowe using a Toyota Tacoma, Mercedes Benz APP 942 YL and Toyota Highlander GWA 662DJ – Sec 20(1)(f)
- Unlawful production and possession of 2,419.48kg of methamphetamine – Sec 11(a) & 19
The Agency also recovered massive quantities of precursor chemicals at the lab: 358kg of toluene, 1,834kg of hydrochloric acid, 22.5kg of acetone, as well as P2P and phenyl acetic acid – Sec 20(1)(e).
Anochili was separately charged under Section 12 for allegedly allowing his property to be used for illicit drug production.
All 10 defendants pleaded not guilty.
COURT REMANDS SUSPECTS
After the prosecution presented 7 witnesses and served proof of evidence since 3rd July 2026, the defence applied for more time.
Justice Kakaki ordered that all suspects be remanded in the Lagos Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to 16th and 22nd July 2026 for trial and hearing of bail applications.
MARWA: NIGERIA WILL NOT BECOME A MANUFACTURING BASE FOR CARTELS
Reacting to the arraignment, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), said the case represents “one of the most significant dismantling of an industrial-scale narcotics production operation on Nigerian soil.”
“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 as a manufacturing base for onward export. But the Agency will not relent in tracking down and dismantling every such network, no matter how well concealed or well-financed,” Marwa stated.
He reaffirmed NDLEA’s commitment to ridding Nigeria of drug cartels and their local collaborators, and called on members of the public to continue providing useful information to support the Agency’s operations nationwide.
Conclusively, the bust underscores a dangerous new trend of transnational drug syndicates attempting to use Nigeria as a production and export hub.
With N480 billion worth of drugs and foreign experts involved, the case has placed NDLEA’s intelligence and interdiction capacity under global spotlight.
As the trial begins this month, the outcome will signal Nigeria’s resolve to deny criminal networks safe haven and to protect its youths from the scourge of illicit drugs.
SOURCE: Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja
Friday, 10th July 2026