The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the arraignment of an alleged drug kingpin, Anochili Innocent, three Mexican nationals and six other suspects before the Federal High Court in Lagos over the operation of what authorities described as one of Nigeria’s largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratories hidden deep inside Ogun state forest.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Musa Kakaki on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine, operation of a drug trafficking organisation and possession of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit drugs.
The NDLEA said the syndicate allegedly established a sophisticated methamphetamine production facility in Abidagba village, Ijebu East local government area of Ogun state, where investigators recovered 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at over N480 billion on the international illicit market.
Among those arraigned are Anochili Innocent, 63; 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 three foreign suspects are Mexican nationals alleged to have served as methamphetamine production experts for the international drug cartel.
The prosecution told the court that the suspects were arrested during coordinated intelligence-led operations conducted by NDLEA operatives between May 16 and 18, 2026, in Ogun and Lagos States.
While seven members of the syndicate, including the three Mexicans, were apprehended inside the forest laboratory, investigators simultaneously arrested the alleged cartel leader, Anochili, at his luxury residence in Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos.
Investigators also recovered massive quantities of precursor chemicals, including 1,834 kilograms of hydrochloric acid, 358 kilograms of toluene, 22.5 kilograms of acetone, as well as phenyl-2-propane (P2P) and phenyl acetic acid.
The prosecution further alleged that the syndicate transported the chemicals from Lagos to the Ogun forest using multiple vehicles, while Anochili was separately accused of allowing his property to be used for the illegal manufacture of narcotics.
All ten defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.