The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arraigned 63-year-old alleged drug baron, Anochili Innocent, 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 arraigned before Justice Musa Kakaki on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, establishment of a clandestine laboratory, production of methamphetamine, possession of precursor chemicals, financing and management of a drug trafficking organisation.
The NDLEA alleged that the defendants were involved in the production of 2,419.48 kilogrammes of methamphetamine valued at over ₦480 billion in the international market.
The three Mexican nationals arraigned alongside the Nigerians were identified as Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, 49; Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46; and Jesus López Valles, 40.
Other Nigerian defendants are Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 43; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, 45; and Nwobum Emeka, 59.
In the charge, the agency alleged that the defendants conspired between February and May 16, 2026, to establish a clandestine laboratory for the preparation, processing and production of methamphetamine, contrary to Section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act.
The defendants were also accused of managing, organising and financing a drug trafficking organisation, contrary to Section 20(1)(g) of the Act.
The NDLEA further alleged that the defendants unlawfully transported precursor chemicals, including toluene, phenyl-2-propane, phenyl acetic acid, acetone and hydrochloric acid, from Lagos to the Mowe laboratory.
According to the charge, the chemicals were allegedly moved with vehicles including a Toyota Tacoma, a Mercedes Benz marked APP 942 YL and a Toyota Highlander marked GWA 662DJ.
The agency said the alleged transportation of the chemicals contravened Section 20(1)(f) of the NDLEA Act.
The defendants were also charged with unlawful production and possession of 2,419.48 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, offences said to be contrary to Sections 11(a) and 19 of the NDLEA Act.
The agency also accused them of possessing large quantities of precursor chemicals allegedly recovered from the laboratory, including 358 kilogrammes of toluene, 1,834 kilogrammes of hydrochloric acid and 22.5 kilogrammes of acetone, alongside quantities of phenyl-2-propane and phenyl acetic acid.
Anochili was separately charged under Section 12 of the NDLEA Act for allegedly allowing his property to be used for the production of the illicit drug.
The agency described him as the owner of the fenced expanse of land on which the alleged super laboratory was sited.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea, the prosecution informed the court that it was ready to proceed with trial and had brought seven witnesses, having served the defence with proof of evidence since July 3, 2026.
However, the defence objected and asked for more time.
Justice Kakaki subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Correctional Centre in Lagos.
The court adjourned the matter to July 16 and July 22, 2026, for trial and hearing of the defendants’ bail applications.
The defendants were arrested by NDLEA operatives during coordinated raids in Ogun and Lagos states between May 16 and 18, 2026.
According to the agency, operatives first stormed a clandestine laboratory hidden inside Mowe Forest, in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where some of the suspects were arrested.
Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor were arrested at the laboratory alongside the three Mexican nationals.
The NDLEA described the Mexican nationals as methamphetamine experts allegedly brought into Nigeria to assist in the production of the illicit substance.
Anochili, who the agency described as the alleged mastermind of the cartel, was arrested the same day at his residence at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos.
In follow-up operations on May 18, 2026, NDLEA operatives also stormed another property allegedly owned by Anochili at House 70, Close 3, Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos, where Omonughwa Kingsley Orike was arrested.
Investigators also raided the residence of another alleged syndicate member, Emeka Nwobum, whose property was said to have served as the cartel’s strategic stash house.
Reacting to the arraignment, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the case as one of the most significant dismantling of an industrial-scale narcotics production operation on Nigerian soil.
Marwa said the case showed the increasingly transnational nature of drug trafficking networks seeking to use 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, but the Agency will not relent in tracking down and dismantling every such network, no matter how well concealed or well-financed,” Marwa stated.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to ridding Nigeria of drug cartels and their local collaborators.
Marwa also urged members of the public to continue providing useful information to support NDLEA operations across the country.
The defendants have not been convicted of the allegations.
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