THE NATIONAL Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a highly sophisticated, multi-million-dollar Nigerian- Mexican methamphetamine production syndicate, and arrested 10 suspects with N480 billion worth of meth recovered.
Giving details of the major operational success at a media briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, the NDLEA Chairman; retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa described the breakthrough as another crippling blow to transnational organised crime.
Marwa said that the clinical, simultaneous operation, executed by elite operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit (SOU), led to the shutdown of an industrial-scale clandestine laboratory.
According to him, discovered in Nigeria and hidden in a remote forest in Ijebu area of Ogun was the largest multi-billion naira meth in history.
“The cartel’s kingpin was arrested with three Mexican technical experts and six other top local collaborators.”
He said that following months of painstaking and credible intelligence gathering, operatives of SOU of the agency launched well-coordinated strikes across Ogun and Lagos States within a space of 48 hours last week.
“Barely two weeks ago, we announced the successful take-down of a high-profile Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO).
“It was a complex multi-country operation involving the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Swiss, French, and the Greek law enforcement agencies.
“Today, I am proud to announce that the NDLEA has struck another crippling blow to the heart of transnational organised crime.
“Through a clinical, simultaneous operation executed by the elite operatives of our SOU, we have successfully dismantled a sophisticated, transnational methamphetamine production syndicate run jointly by a Nigerian drug cartel and their Mexican counterparts.
“This network did not just traffic drugs. They were actively manufacturing industrial-scale quantities of highly lethal illicit substances right on our soil, threatening the national security and public health of Nigeria.
“After months of painstaking, credible intelligence, our operatives on May 16, launched a well-coordinated, simultaneous strikes in both Ogun and Lagos States,” he said.
Marwa said that the primary target was a remote farm located at Abidagba forest, in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun.
He said that the farm was being used as a massive, highly dangerous clandestine methamphetamine laboratory by the Anochili Innocent DTO.
“At the farm in the Ijebu forest, our operatives overran the clandestine laboratory in Ogun, securing the perimeter and catching the syndicates completely off-guard.
“At this laboratory, we apprehended seven key members of the cartel processing illicit substances. Most notably, the operation confirms our intelligence regarding the importation of foreign technical expertise by local cartels.
“Among those arrested are three Mexican nationals brought into the country specifically to cook this deadly substance, alongside four Nigerian collaborators,” he said.
Marwa also said that another tactical team closed in on the luxury residence of the cartel’s mastermind located at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki area of Lagos State.
He said that the drug baron was cornered and arrested, adding that a meticulous search of his premises led to the recovery of the international passports and mobile phones of the three arrested Mexican cooks, directly linking him to the importation and management of the foreign criminals.
Marwa further said that relentless follow-up operations on Monday, led NDLEA operatives to another property owned by the baron.
He said that another key member of the syndicate was arrested at the property located at House 70, Close 3, Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos.
He said this was after investigators stormed the residence of another syndicate member, whose property served as the cartel’s strategic stash house.
“The arrest brings to 10 the total number of cartel members, including the baron, the three Mexican specialists, and six Nigerian collaborators, who are currently in NDLEA custody.
“I have directed the deployment of our specialised Chemical and Forensic Team to the clandestine laboratory to test, weigh, and secure the chemical components.
“The sheer volume of dangerous precursor chemicals, industrial solvents, and finished products recovered is staggering.
“The operation yielded a massive 2,419.48 Kilo Grammes (over 2.4 tons) of chemical materials, including highly toxic, volatile, and crystallised methamphetamine worth 362.9 million dollars in the international market.
“This translates to over N480 billion. Imagine this humongous amount in the control of criminal elements!
“Also recovered from the cartel include a Toyota Tacoma vehicle used for operations at the clandestine meth laboratory, and a Toyota Highlander seized from the kingpin’s residence.
“To put this in perspective, the 2,419.48 Kilo Grammes of finished and liquid methamphetamine seized represents millions of street doses that would have flooded our local communities and international markets, causing untold destruction, psychosis, and violence,” the NDLEA chairman said.
The NDLEA boss noted that the dismantling of the Anochili Innocent DTO, coming directly on the heels of the Simon Amadi cartel takedown, sends an unequivocal, resounding message to drug barons.
According to him, this includes that both locally and internationally; Nigeria is a hostile territory for their business.
He warned that the agency would continue to hunt them down wherever they were located.
“We are fully aware of the shifting tactics of these cartels, including the disturbing trend of hiring South American cartel specialists to set up production factories in our rural communities.
“Let it be known that no matter how deep into the bush you hide, no matter how secure your gated estate is, the NDLEA will hunt you down, disrupt your networks, and seize your ill-gotten wealth,” Marwa warned.
The NDLEA Chairman appreciated the support from international partners to keep Nigeria and the global community safe from the criminal activities of drug cartels.
He commended the extraordinary bravery, professionalism, and precision of the NDLEA SOU operatives and the Chemical and Forensic Team saying ”Nigeria owes you all a debt of gratitude”.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant adding that the forest lab in Ogun was operating under the guise of a regular farm.
“Report any suspicious activities, strange chemical odours, or unusual movements in your localities. This war is for the soul of our nation, and we will not back down until we achieve a drug-free Nigeria,” he added. (NAN)
