COURT REMANDS SUSPECTS AS AGENCY UNCOVERS ‘SUPER CLANDESTINE LABORATORY’ IN OGUN
LAGOS — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned a 63-year-old man, Anochili Innocent, alongside three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerians over an alleged industrial-scale methamphetamine production operation uncovered in Ogun State.
The defendants were brought before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, establishment of a clandestine drug laboratory, production of methamphetamine, financing of a drug trafficking organisation, and unlawful possession of controlled substances.
The NDLEA alleged that the suspects were involved in the establishment of a super clandestine laboratory at Mowe village, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at over ₦480 billion in the international market was allegedly produced.
Those arraigned include Anochili Innocent; Mexican nationals Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix, and Jesus López Valles; as well as Nigerians 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 May 18, 2026, in Ogun and Lagos states.
The agency stated that some of the suspects were arrested at the hidden laboratory located inside a forest area in Mowe, while the alleged mastermind, Anochili Innocent, was arrested at his residence in the Lekki area of Lagos.
The charge sheet alleged that the defendants transported precursor chemicals, including toluene, acetone, hydrochloric acid, phenyl-2-propane (P2P), and phenyl acetic acid, to the laboratory for the production of methamphetamine.
The NDLEA further accused Anochili of allowing his property to be used for the production of illicit drugs.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution called seven witnesses to begin trial after serving the defence with proof of evidence, but the defence requested more time.
Justice Kakaki subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Correctional Centre in Lagos, while the matter was adjourned to July 16 and July 22 for trial and hearing of bail applications.
Speaking on the development, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the operation as one of the agency’s major breakthroughs against industrial-scale narcotics production in Nigeria.
Marwa said the involvement of foreign nationals highlights the growing international nature of drug trafficking networks seeking to establish production bases in the country.
He assured that the agency would continue to pursue and dismantle drug cartels and their local collaborators while urging members of the public to provide useful information to support anti-drug operations.
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