BREAKING: NDLEA Arraigns Drug Kingpin, 3 Mexicans Over Ogun Meth Lab

According to Ireporter Online, the defendants appeared before Justice Musa Kakaki on Friday, July 10, 2026, facing an 11-count charge bordering on the alleged establishment and operation of a secret drug production facility located inside a forest in Mowe village, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The prosecution alleged that the suspects were involved in the production of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an estimated international street value exceeding ₦480 billion.

The defendants listed in the charge include Anochili Innocent; Juan Carlos Meza Torrero; Nemecio Martinez Felix; Jesus López Valles; Nwankwo Sunday Christian; Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor; Igwe Abuchi Remijus; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua; Omonughwa Kingsley Orike; and Nwobum Emeka.

The NDLEA said the arrests followed coordinated operations conducted across Ogun and Lagos States between May 16 and May 18, 2026. According to the agency, seven suspects, including the three Mexican nationals allegedly linked to methamphetamine production expertise, were arrested at the underground laboratory hidden within the Mowe forest.

The agency further disclosed that Anochili, identified as the alleged leader of the group, was arrested at his residence in the Lakowe area of Lekki, Lagos, on the same day. Additional arrests were later made following searches of properties allegedly connected to the suspect.

Investigators claimed that another property in Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, was linked to the drug network, leading to the arrest of Kingsley Orike Omonughwa. A separate search at a residence belonging to Emeka Nwobum reportedly led to the discovery of a location allegedly used for storing materials connected to the operation.

Court documents presented by the NDLEA alleged that the suspects collaborated between February and May 16, 2026, to establish and operate the illegal laboratory in violation of the NDLEA Act.

The prosecution also accused the defendants of running and financing a drug trafficking organisation, as well as transporting chemicals used for methamphetamine production from Lagos to the Ogun facility.

Among the substances allegedly recovered were toluene, phenyl-2-propane (P2P), phenyl acetic acid, acetone, and hydrochloric acid. The agency said operatives recovered hundreds of kilograms of chemicals believed to have been used in the production process.

A separate charge was filed against Anochili alone, with the prosecution alleging that he knowingly allowed his property to be used for the production of illegal narcotic substances.

All ten defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them. The prosecution informed the court that the defence had received relevant documents on July 3 and requested permission to begin presenting seven witnesses.

However, defence counsel sought additional time to prepare, prompting the court to adjourn proceedings. Justice Kakaki ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Lagos Correctional Centre pending further hearings and fixed July 16 and July 22, 2026, for continuation of the trial and consideration of their bail applications.

Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the case as evidence of increasing attempts by international drug networks to use Nigeria as a base for illicit drug production and distribution.

Marwa said the involvement of foreign nationals in the operation highlighted the need for stronger collaboration in tackling transnational drug crimes. He assured that the agency would continue to identify and dismantle criminal drug networks across the country, regardless of their influence or resources.

The NDLEA chairman also appealed to Nigerians to continue providing credible information that could assist security agencies in uncovering illegal drug activities and bringing those involved to justice.