The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arraigned 10 persons before the Federal High Court in Lagos over what it described as an industrial-scale methamphetamine production network uncovered in Ogun State.

The suspects, led by alleged kingpin Anochili Innocent, 63, were brought before Justice Musa Kakaki on Friday, July 10, 2026 on an 11-count charge. The counts cover conspiracy, setting up an illegal drug factory, production of methamphetamine, and other offences under the NDLEA Act.

The court list includes three foreigners believed to be chemists:

Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, 49

Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46 

Jesus López Valles, 40

And seven Nigerians: 

Anochili Innocent, 63 — alleged mastermind

Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41

Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38 

Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 43

Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23

Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, 45

Nwobum Emeka, 59

All pleaded not guilty.

How the bust went down

NDLEA said the operation was intelligence-led and ran from May 16 to 18, 2026 across Lagos and Ogun.

Operatives first stormed a forest location in Mowe, Ijebu East LGA, Ogun, where they found a heavily concealed laboratory. Seven people were arrested there, including the three Mexicans said to be experts hired to run production.

In a parallel operation, the alleged sponsor, Anochili, was picked up at his home in Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki. 

Follow-up raids led to more arrests: Kingsley Orike was taken from Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, while Emeka Nwobum was arrested at a property NDLEA identified as the cartel’s storage point.

The agency told the court the syndicate manufactured 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of over ₦480 billion internationally.

Investigators also recovered large volumes of precursor chemicals moved from Lagos to Ogun: 358kg of toluene, 1,834kg of hydrochloric acid, 22.5kg of acetone, plus P2P and phenyl acetic acid.

Anochili was specifically charged with allowing his property to be used for illicit drug production.

Justice Kakaki ordered the 10 defendants remanded at the Lagos Correctional Centre. The judge adjourned the matter to July 16 and July 22, 2026 for bail hearing and commencement of trial. Prosecution said proof of evidence had been served.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa rtd, called the case a major blow to transnational drug networks. He noted that the presence of Mexican nationals points to a new trend of international cartels trying to establish production hubs in Nigeria for export.

Marwa urged Nigerians to keep providing credible intelligence to help the agency dismantle such operations.

SOURCE: NDLEA | Federal High Court, Lagos | Zagazola Makama