Three Mexican nationals and seven other suspects have been remanded at the Lagos Correctional Centre by the Federal High Court in Lagos over their alleged involvement in a methamphetamine production and drug trafficking operation valued at about N480 billion.
The suspects were arraigned before Justice Musa Kakaki on Friday on an 11-count charge brought by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The charges include conspiracy, unlawful production and possession of methamphetamine, operating a drug trafficking organisation and possession of precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of illicit drugs.
The defendants are Mexican nationals Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, 49; Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46; and Jesus López Valles, 40. Others 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.
According to the NDLEA, the suspects were arrested during coordinated operations carried out between May 16 and 18 in Ogun and Lagos states. Operatives reportedly uncovered a concealed methamphetamine laboratory inside a forest in Mowe village, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where seven suspects, including the three Mexican nationals, were arrested.
The agency said Innocent, identified as the alleged leader of the syndicate, was arrested at his residence in the Golf Estate area of Lakowe, Lekki. Follow-up operations also led to the arrest of Orike at another property linked to the alleged drug network, while Nwobum was apprehended at a house allegedly used as the group’s stash location.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants established and operated the illegal laboratory between February and May 2026. They were also accused of transporting chemicals, including toluene, hydrochloric acid, acetone, phenyl-2-propane and phenyl acetic acid, from Lagos to the Ogun facility for the production of methamphetamine.
Investigators said they recovered about 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, estimated to be worth over N480 billion in the international illicit drug market. Large quantities of precursor chemicals were also seized during the operation.
All 10 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea, Justice Kakaki ordered that they be remanded at the Lagos Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until July 16 and July 22, 2026, for the hearing of their bail applications and commencement of trial.
Commenting on the case, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa, described the operation as one of the agency’s biggest breakthroughs against industrial-scale drug production in Nigeria. He said the arrest of the Mexican nationals reflected the growing involvement of international drug cartels in the country but assured that the agency would continue to dismantle such criminal networks.
