National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned an alleged drug kingpin, Anochili Innocent, three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerians before a Federal High Court in Lagos over the establishment of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory.
The defendants were arraigned on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, production and possession of 2,419.48 kilogrammes of methamphetamine valued at more than N480 billion in the international market.
They were docked on Friday before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, following their arrest during coordinated operations by NDLEA operatives in Ogun and Lagos states between May 16 and May 18, 2026.
The defendants are Anochili Innocent, 63; Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, 49; Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 43; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, 45; and Nwobum Emeka, 59.
NDLEA said Anochili was allegedly the mastermind of the operation and was arrested at his luxury residence in Lakowe, Lekki area of Lagos, while other suspects were apprehended at the illegal laboratory concealed inside a forest in Mowe, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun.
The agency said the laboratory operation involved three Mexican nationals described as methamphetamine production experts.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly conspired between February and May 16, 2026, to establish a clandestine laboratory for the production and processing of methamphetamine, contrary to the provisions of the NDLEA Act.
Other allegations include managing and financing a drug trafficking organisation, unlawful transportation of precursor chemicals and possession of large quantities of methamphetamine and chemical substances used in drug production.
NDLEA listed some of the recovered precursor chemicals to include toluene, phenyl-2-propane (P2P), phenyl acetic acid, acetone and hydrochloric acid.
The agency also alleged that vehicles including a Toyota Tacoma, Mercedes Benz marked APP 942 YL and Toyota Highlander marked GWA 662DJ were used to transport precursor chemicals to the clandestine laboratory.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution presented seven witnesses after informing the court that proof of evidence had been served on the defence. However, the defence counsel requested more time to prepare.
Justice Kakaki subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Correctional Centre in Lagos and adjourned the matter to July 16 and July 22 for trial and hearing of bail applications.
Speaking on the development, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the case as one of the agency’s major breakthroughs in dismantling industrial-scale narcotics production in Nigeria.
Marwa said the involvement of Mexican nationals highlighted the growing international dimension of drug trafficking networks seeking to use Nigeria as a production base for illicit substances.
“The presence of Mexican nationals among those arrested and arraigned today speaks to the alarming reach of international drug cartels now attempting to entrench themselves in Nigeria,” he said.
He assured that NDLEA would continue to track and dismantle drug networks while urging members of the public to provide credible information to support anti-narcotics operations nationwide.
