The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned a 63-year-old alleged drug baron, Anochili Innocent, alongside three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Lagos over the alleged operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State.
The defendants were brought before Justice Musa Kakaki on Friday on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, establishment of an illegal drug laboratory, production of methamphetamine and other drug trafficking-related offences.
According to Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, the suspects were arrested during coordinated operations in Ogun and Lagos states between May 16 and May 18, 2026.
Those arraigned include Innocent; Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, 49; Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 43; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, 45; and Nwobum Emeka, 59.
The agency alleged that the defendants established a “super clandestine laboratory” in Mowe village, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where they produced 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine with an estimated international street value exceeding N480 billion.
NDLEA said operatives raided the laboratory hidden inside a forest in Mowe on May 16, arresting four Nigerian suspects alongside the three Mexican nationals, who were described as methamphetamine production experts.
The agency added that Innocent, identified as the alleged mastermind of the cartel, was arrested the same day at his residence in the Golf Estate, Lakowe area of Lekki, Lagos.
It said follow-up operations on May 18 led to the arrest of another suspect, Kingsley Omonughwa, at Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, while investigators also raided the residence of Emeka Nwobum, which was allegedly used as a stash house for the syndicate.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants conspired between February and May 16, 2026, to establish and operate the illegal laboratory in violation of the NDLEA Act.
The charges also include allegedly managing and financing a drug trafficking organisation, transporting precursor chemicals from Lagos to the Ogun laboratory, and unlawfully producing and possessing the seized methamphetamine.
Prosecutors further alleged that investigators recovered large quantities of precursor chemicals from the laboratory, including 358 kilograms of toluene, 1,834 kilograms of hydrochloric acid, 22.5 kilograms of acetone, as well as phenyl-2-propane (P2P) and phenyl acetic acid.
Innocent faces an additional charge of allegedly permitting his property to be used for the manufacture of illicit drugs.
All 10 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Although the prosecution indicated its readiness to commence trial and called seven witnesses after serving the defence with proof of evidence on July 3, defence counsel requested additional time to prepare.
Justice Kakaki subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in a Lagos correctional facility and adjourned the matter to July 16 and July 22 for trial and hearing of their bail applications.
Reacting to the arraignment, NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the case as one of the most significant crackdowns on industrial-scale narcotics production in Nigeria.
He said the involvement of Mexican nationals reflected the growing efforts of international drug cartels to establish manufacturing operations in Nigeria for export.
“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, but the Agency will not relent in tracking down and dismantling every such network, no matter how well concealed or well-financed,” Marwa said.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and urged Nigerians to continue providing intelligence to support anti-narcotics operations nationwide.
(The Whistler)
