Ogun forest’s N480bn meth lab: NDLEA arraigns drug baron, 3 Mexicans, 6 others

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday arraigned an alleged drug kingpin, Anochili Innocent, alongside three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Lagos over the operation of a massive clandestine methamphetamine laboratory hidden deep inside a forest in Mowe, Ogun state.

The defendants were docked before Justice Musa Kakaki on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, financing a drug trafficking organisation, unlawful production and possession of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at over N480 billion in the international illicit drug market.

Those arraigned are Anochili Innocent, 63; Mexican nationals Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix and Jesus López Valles; as well as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike and Nwobum Emeka.

The suspects were arrested during coordinated NDLEA operations in Ogun and Lagos States between May 16 and 18, 2026.

According to the charge, the syndicate established a sophisticated methamphetamine production facility concealed inside a forest in Mowe, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where operatives recovered huge quantities of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals, including toluene, hydrochloric acid, acetone, phenyl-2-propane (P2P) and phenyl acetic acid.

Investigators also alleged that the cartel transported the chemicals from Lagos to the laboratory using multiple vehicles, while Anochili, identified as the alleged mastermind, was arrested at his luxury residence in Lakowe, Lekki. Subsequent operations led to the arrest of two other key members of the syndicate and the discovery of a strategic stash house.

All the 10 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Although the NDLEA prosecution team called seven witnesses to commence trial, the defence counsel sought additional time after objecting to proceeding with the hearing.

Justice Kakaki consequently ordered that all the defendants be remanded in the Lagos Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to July 16 and 22, 2026, for the hearing of bail applications and continuation of trial.

Reacting to the arraignment, the NDLEA chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.- Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the case as “one of the most significant crackdowns on industrial-scale drug manufacturing in Nigeria.”

He said, “This case represents one of the most significant dismantling of an industrial-scale narcotics production operation on Nigerian soil, underscoring the increasingly transnational character of drug trafficking networks now desperate to exploit Nigeria as a manufacturing base for onward 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.

“The Agency will not relent in tracking down and dismantling every such network, no matter how well concealed or well-financed.”