The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled what it described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever uncovered in Nigeria, arresting a suspected drug kingpin, three Mexican nationals, and six other collaborators.

The operation, carried out by the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit, targeted a hidden forest base in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, as well as several linked properties in Lagos State.

Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the breakthrough followed months of intelligence gathering and coordinated surveillance.

According to Marwa, operatives conducted simultaneous raids between May 16 and May 18 in Ogun and Lagos States.

He said the agency successfully dismantled a sophisticated transnational methamphetamine production syndicate jointly operated by a Nigerian drug cartel and their Mexican partners.

During the raid at the forest laboratory, seven suspects were arrested, including three Mexican nationals allegedly brought into Nigeria to supervise the production of methamphetamine.

The suspects arrested at the site include Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, alongside the Mexican nationals identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos.

In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives stormed a residence located at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, where the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, was arrested.

Marwa disclosed that the international passports and mobile phones belonging to the Mexican suspects were recovered from the Lekki residence.

Another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, was later arrested at a property in Mayfair Estate, Lekki, while another location linked to suspect Emeka Nwobum was identified as a strategic stash house for the criminal syndicate.

The NDLEA said the operation led to the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and chemical substances valued at over ₦480 billion.

According to the agency, the recovered substances included toxic precursor chemicals, industrial solvents, and crystallised methamphetamine with an estimated international street value of over $362.9 million.

The agency also recovered a Toyota Tacoma vehicle allegedly used for operations at the clandestine laboratory and a Toyota Highlander linked to the alleged cartel boss.

Marwa stated that the latest crackdown sends a strong warning to international drug traffickers attempting to operate within Nigeria.

He warned that no matter how hidden their operations may be, the NDLEA would continue to track down criminal networks, dismantle their operations, and seize their assets.

The NDLEA boss also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, especially unusual chemical smells or movements within rural communities.

According to him, the methamphetamine factory in Ogun State was cleverly disguised as a regular farm to avoid suspicion.

Marwa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to combating illicit drug production and trafficking, declaring that the fight against narcotics remains critical to securing the future of Nigeria.