The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arraigned an alleged drug kingpin, Anochili Innocent, alongside three Mexican nationals and seven other suspects before the Federal High Court in Lagos over the alleged operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory valued at more than N480bn.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Musa Kakaki on Friday 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 Mexican nationals charged are Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, 49; Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46; and Jesus López Valles, 40.
The other defendants are Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 43; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, 45; and Nwobum Emeka, 59.
According to the NDLEA, the suspects were arrested during coordinated operations conducted between May 16 and 18, 2026, across Ogun and Lagos states.
The agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said operatives first stormed a sophisticated clandestine methamphetamine laboratory concealed inside a forest in Mowe village, 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 cartel, was arrested simultaneously at his residence in the Golf Estate area of Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos.
Babafemi said follow-up operations led to the arrest of Kingsley Orike Omonughwa at another property linked to the alleged drug syndicate, while Emeka Nwobum was apprehended at a residence allegedly serving as the cartel’s stash house.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired between February and May 16, 2026, to establish and operate an illegal methamphetamine production laboratory in violation of the NDLEA Act.
The agency further accused them of financing and managing a drug trafficking organisation, as well as transporting precursor chemicals, including toluene, phenyl-2-propane, phenyl acetic acid, acetone and hydrochloric acid, from Lagos to the illicit laboratory in Ogun State.
According to the charge, investigators recovered 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine with an estimated street value exceeding N480bn in the international illicit drug market.
The prosecution also told the court that operatives recovered 358 kilograms of toluene, 1,834 kilograms of hydrochloric acid, 22.5 kilograms of acetone, and quantities of phenyl-2-propane and phenyl acetic acid from the facility.
Innocent was separately accused of permitting his property to be used for the unlawful production of illicit drugs.
All 10 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following the arraignment, the prosecution informed the court that it had served the defence with the proof of evidence on July 3 and immediately opened its case by calling seven witnesses.
However, defence counsel requested additional time to prepare their clients’ defence.
Justice Kakaki subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Lagos Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until July 16 and July 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial and hearing of their bail applications.
Reacting to the development, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the case as one of the agency’s biggest breakthroughs against industrial-scale drug production in Nigeria.
Marwa said the operation exposed the growing involvement of transnational drug trafficking syndicates seeking to establish Nigeria as a manufacturing hub for illicit narcotics destined for international markets.
He noted that the arrest of the three Mexican nationals highlighted the increasing penetration of international drug cartels into the country, adding that the agency remained committed to dismantling such criminal networks.
