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A High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of three Mexican nationals and seven other suspects over their alleged involvement in a large-scale methamphetamine production.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the suspects were arrested during coordinated operations conducted between May 16 and 18, 2026, in Ogun and Lagos states.
The defendants, including a 63-year-old alleged drug kingpin, Anochili Innocent, were arraigned before Justice Musa Kakaki on Friday on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful production and possession of methamphetamine valued at ₦480 billion, operating a drug trafficking organisation, and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals.
The three Mexican nationals are Juan Carlos Meza Torrero (49), Nemecio Martínez Félix (46), and Jesús López Valles (40).
The other defendants are Nwankwo Sunday Christian (41), Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor (38), Igwe Abuchi Remijus (43), Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua (23), Omonughwa Kingsley Orike (45), Nwobum Emeka (59), and Anochili Innocent (63).
Babafemi said NDLEA operatives first raided a clandestine laboratory concealed inside a forest in Mowe village, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where seven suspects, including the three Mexican nationals described as methamphetamine experts, were arrested.
He added that Innocent, identified as the alleged mastermind of the cartel, was simultaneously arrested at his residence in the Golf Estate area of Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos.
According to Babafemi, follow-up operations led to the arrest of Orike at another property linked to the alleged kingpin in Lakowe, while Nwobum was arrested at a residence allegedly used as the syndicate’s stash house.
The charge alleged that the defendants conspired between February and May 16, 2026, to establish and operate a clandestine laboratory for the production of methamphetamine, contrary to the provisions of the NDLEA Act.
The prosecution also accused them of managing and financing a drug trafficking organisation and transporting precursor chemicals, including toluene, phenyl-2-propanone, phenylacetic acid, acetone, and hydrochloric acid, from Lagos to the laboratory in Ogun State.
According to the charge, the defendants unlawfully produced and possessed 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, estimated by the agency to be worth more than ₦480 billion in the international illicit drug market.
The charge further alleged that investigators recovered 358 kilograms of toluene, 1,834 kilograms of hydrochloric acid, 22.5 kilograms of acetone, and quantities of phenyl-2-propanone and phenylacetic acid from the laboratory.
Innocent was separately charged with permitting his property to be used for the production of illicit drugs.
All 10 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following the plea, the prosecution informed the court that it had served the defence with the proof of evidence on July 3 and called seven witnesses to commence trial.
The defence, however, requested more time to prepare its case.
Justice Kakaki subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Lagos Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until July 16 and July 22, 2026, for the hearing of their bail applications and trial.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa, described the case as one of the agency’s most significant operations against industrial-scale drug production in Nigeria.
