NDLEA Arraigns Alleged Drug Kingpin, Three Mexicans, Six Others Over ₦480bn Methamphetamine Operation
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned an alleged drug kingpin, three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerians before a Federal High Court in Lagos over their alleged involvement in operating a clandestine methamphetamine production laboratory in Mowe Forest, Ogun State.
The defendants are facing an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, operating a drug trafficking organisation, unlawful production of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at more than ₦480 billion, and possession of large quantities of precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of illicit drugs.
According to the NDLEA, the suspects were arrested during coordinated operations carried out in Ogun and Lagos states between May 16 and 18, 2026.
The agency said the alleged ringleader, identified as Anochili Innocent, was apprehended at his residence in Lakowe, Lekki, while the remaining suspects, including the three Mexican nationals, were arrested at the concealed drug laboratory in Ogun State.
All 10 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared before Justice Musa Kakaki.
Following their arraignment, the court ordered that they be remanded at the Lagos Correctional Centre pending the determination of their bail applications.
Justice Kakaki subsequently adjourned the matter to July 16 and July 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial and the hearing of the defendants’ bail requests.
Commenting on the development, NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Marwa described the case as one of the agency’s most significant successes against large-scale illicit drug production, stressing that Nigeria would not be allowed to serve as an operational base for international drug trafficking syndicates.
