The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arraigned an alleged drug baron, 63-year-old Anochili Innocent, alongside three Mexican nationals and six defendants before the Federal High Court, Lagos over an alleged N480 billion methamphetamine manufacturing operation uncovered in Ogun State.
The 10 defendants appeared before Justice Musa Kakaki on Friday on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, operation of a clandestine drug laboratory, production of methamphetamine, possession of precursor chemicals and financing a drug trafficking organisation.
Those arraigned include; 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.
According to the NDLEA, the suspects were arrested during coordinated operations carried out between May 16 and 18, 2026, in Ogun and Lagos states after operatives uncovered a super clandestine methamphetamine laboratory hidden deep inside a forest at Mowe village in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The agency alleged that the syndicate established the illicit laboratory where 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at over N480 billion in the international market were produced.
Investigators also recovered large quantities of precursor chemicals, including 358 kilograms of toluene, 1,834 kilograms of hydrochloric acid, 22.5 kilograms of acetone, as well as Phenyl-2-Propanone, P2P, and phenyl acetic acid.
The charge further alleged that the suspects transported the chemicals from Lagos to the laboratory using a Toyota Tacoma, a Mercedes-Benz with registration number APP 942 YL and a Toyota Highlander marked GWA 662 DJ.
NDLEA said Anochili, identified as the alleged mastermind, was arrested at his residence in Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, while additional arrests were made at properties linked to the syndicate in Lagos.
The prosecution told the court that the offences contravene several provisions of the NDLEA Act, including conspiracy to establish a clandestine laboratory, managing and financing a drug trafficking organisation, unlawful transportation of precursor chemicals, production and possession of methamphetamine, and possession of prohibited chemicals.
A separate charge was also filed against Anochili for allegedly permitting his property to be used for the production of illicit drugs.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
Although the NDLEA prosecution indicated readiness to commence trial, having served the defendants with proof of evidence on July 3, defence lawyers requested additional time to prepare their case.
Justice Kakaki subsequently ordered that all the defendants be remanded at the Lagos Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to July 16 and July 22, 2026, for hearing of their bail applications and continuation of trial.
Reacting to the arraignment, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the case as one of the biggest crackdowns on an industrial-scale narcotics production network in Nigeria.
“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 reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug cartels operating in Nigeria and urged members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support anti-drug operations nationwide.
