Nigeria dismantles cross-border drug network, seizes 480 billion naira shipment
International drug network busted in Nigeria
Written by: Ayman Ragab
The Nigerian National Drug Control Agency announced the dismantling of a cross-border methamphetamine production network, run by a Nigerian gang in collaboration with Mexican elements, during a security operation that resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects and the seizure of illegal drugs and chemicals valued at more than 480 billion naira.
The agency’s chief, retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, revealed during a press conference held Wednesday in the capital, Abuja, that the operation carried out by the agency’s special operations unit led to the discovery and closure of what he described as the largest secret methamphetamine production laboratory found in Nigeria to date.
He explained that the laboratory was located inside the Abedagba Forest in the Eastern Ejibo Local Government Area of Ogun State, and was run by a drug trafficking organization led by Anushili Innocent.
The operation in two states
Marwa noted that the security operation was carried out simultaneously in Ogun and Lagos states on Saturday, May 16, 2026, after months of intelligence work and information gathering.
He said: “Through a precise and synchronized operation carried out by elite members of the Special Operations Unit, we succeeded in dismantling a sophisticated, cross-border methamphetamine production network that was jointly run by a Nigerian gang and its Mexican partners.”.
He added: “This network was not limited to smuggling drugs, but was also producing industrial quantities of illegal and dangerous materials within Nigerian territory.”.
Marwa confirmed that the operation resulted in the arrest of seven people inside the laboratory, including three Mexican nationals suspected of having been brought to Nigeria specifically to participate in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
He explained that the Mexicans arrested are: Martinez Felix Nemcto (46 years old), Jesus Lopez Valles (40 years old), and Torero Juan Carlos (51 years old).
The arrests on the Nigerian side also included: Nwanko Sunday Christian (41 years old), Igwe Abochi Remijo (42 years old), Ifeanyi Chubuike Joshua (23 years old), and Igwono Ucheena Victor (38 years old).
The gang leader was arrested.
He added that another tactical team managed to arrest the alleged gang leader, Anushili Innocent, inside his residence at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street in the Gulf Estate area of Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos State.
He noted that the search of the house resulted in the seizure of passports and mobile phones belonging to the detained Mexican citizens, which he said directly links the suspect to bringing them in and managing their activities inside Nigeria.
