The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned an alleged drug baron, Anochili Innocent, alongside three Mexican nationals and six Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Lagos over the alleged operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory and the production of illicit drugs valued at more than N480 billion.
The defendants appeared before Justice Musa Kakaki on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful production and possession of methamphetamine, operation of a drug trafficking organisation and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals.
The three Mexican nationals are Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix and Jesus López Valles.
Other defendants include Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike and Nwobum Emeka.
According to NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the suspects were arrested during coordinated operations carried out between May 16 and 18, 2026, across Ogun and Lagos states.
Babafemi said operatives uncovered a clandestine laboratory concealed in a forest in Mowe, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where seven suspects, including the three Mexican nationals described as methamphetamine experts, were arrested.
He added that Innocent, identified as the alleged mastermind of the syndicate, was arrested at his residence in the Golf Estate area of Lakowe, Lekki, while subsequent operations led to the arrest of additional suspects at properties linked to the network.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to establish and operate the laboratory between February and May 2026 and managed a drug trafficking organisation responsible for transporting precursor chemicals, including toluene, phenyl-2-propane, phenyl acetic acid, acetone and hydrochloric acid.
According to the charge, the suspects unlawfully produced and possessed 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine estimated to be worth over N480 billion in the international illicit drug market.
Investigators also reportedly recovered 358 kilograms of toluene, 1,834 kilograms of hydrochloric acid, 22.5 kilograms of acetone, as well as quantities of phenyl-2-propane and phenyl acetic acid from the laboratory.
All 10 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea, the prosecution informed the court that proof of evidence had been served on the defence and called seven witnesses to commence trial. Defence counsel, however, requested more time to prepare their case.
Justice Kakaki subsequently ordered the defendants remanded in the Lagos Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until July 16 and July 22, 2026, for trial and hearing of bail applications.
Commenting on the case, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described it as one of the agency’s most significant operations against industrial-scale drug production in Nigeria.
Marwa said the involvement of foreign nationals highlighted the growing transnational nature of drug trafficking networks seeking to establish manufacturing bases in Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking syndicates and urged members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support anti-narcotics operations.
