NDLEA arraigns drug baron, three Mexicans, six others over N480bn super lab
…Court remands 10 in Correctional Centre as trial opens over 2,419kg meth haul
A 63-year-old drug baron, Anochili Innocent, three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerians were arraigned Friday before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on an 11-count charge over the setting up of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State.
The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) alleges the group produced 2,419.48 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, valued at over N480 billion on the international market, at a super lab hidden in Mowe forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Arraigned alongside Anochili were Mexican nationals Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, 49; Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46; and Jesus López Valles, 40; along with Nigerians 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 operatives raided the Mowe forest laboratory on 16th May 16, 2026, arresting Nwankwo, Igwe, Ifeanyichukwu, Egwuonwu and the three Mexican nationals, described by the agency as meth experts.
Anochili, identified as the syndicate’s mastermind, was simultaneously arrested at his residence at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos.
In a follow-up operation two days later, on May 18, operatives arrested Omonughwa at another property owned by Anochili House 70, Close 3, Mayfair Estate, Lakowe before proceeding to arrest Nwobum at a separate property said to have served as the syndicate’s stash house.
The 11-count charge accuses the defendants of conspiring between February and May 16, 2026 to establish the clandestine lab, in violation of Section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act.
Other counts include: managing, organising and financing a drug trafficking organisation (Section 20(1)(g)); unlawfully transporting precursor chemicals toluene, phenyl-2-propane (P2P), phenyl acetic acid, acetone and hydrochloric acid from Lagos to Mowe in a Toyota Tacoma, a Mercedes-Benz (APP 942 YL) and a Toyota Highlander (GWA 662DJ), contrary to Section 20(1)(f).
Unlawful production and possession of the 2,419.48kg methamphetamine haul (Sections 11(a) and 19) as well as possession of precursor chemicals recovered at the lab — 358kg of toluene, 1,834kg of hydrochloric acid, 22.5kg of acetone, plus quantities of P2P and phenyl acetic acid (Section 20(1)(e)).
Anochili faces an additional, separate count under Section 12 of the Act for allegedly allowing his land to be used for drug production.
All ten defendants pleaded not guilty. The prosecution called seven witnesses to open trial, having served the defence with proof of evidence since July 3, 2026, but the defence sought more time to review the evidence.
Justice Kakaki ordered the defendants remanded at the Correctional Centre, Lagos, and adjourned the matter to 16th and 22nd July for continuation of trial and hearing of a bail application.
NDLEA Chairman and CEO Brig-Gen Mohamed Marwa (rtd) described the case as one of the most significant dismantling operations against industrial-scale narcotics production in Nigeria, pointing to the growing involvement of transnational cartels seeking to use the country as a manufacturing base for export.
He said the presence of Mexican nationals among those arraigned reflects the reach of international drug cartels attempting to entrench themselves in Nigeria, and vowed the agency would continue tracking down such networks regardless of how well-financed or concealed.
Marwa reiterated NDLEA’s commitment to eliminating drug cartels and their local collaborators, and urged the public to keep supplying useful intelligence.
