NDLEA arraigns alleged drug baron, 3 Mexicans, 6 others; suspects remanded

Authorities have arraigned a 63-year-old suspected drug baron, Anochili Innocent, alongside three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerians, on charges related to operating a sophisticated clandestine laboratory for methamphetamine production. The group allegedly produced approximately 2,419.48 kilograms of the drug, valued at over 480 billion Naira in the international market.

The accused, including Mexicans Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix, and Jesus López Valles, were presented before Justice Musa Kakaki at the Federal High Court in Lagos. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) stated that the arrests were the result of coordinated raids conducted between May 16 and May 18, 2026, in Ogun and Lagos states.

Operatives discovered the hidden laboratory deep within Mowe forest in Ogun State, where several Nigerian suspects and the Mexican experts were apprehended. Simultaneously, Innocent was arrested at his luxury residence in Lekki, Lagos. Follow-up operations led to the arrest of other syndicate members and the seizure of properties used as stash houses.

The 11-count charge details conspiracy to establish the laboratory, manage a drug trafficking organization, and unlawfully transport precursor chemicals. It also includes charges for the unlawful production and possession of the substantial quantity of methamphetamine seized. The NDLEA prosecution team outlined the specific precursor chemicals recovered, including toluene, phenyl-2-propane (P2P), phenyl acetic acid, acetone, and hydrochloric acid.