The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised the alarm over attempts by international drug syndicates to establish methamphetamine production hubs in Nigeria’s South-West region, warning that criminal networks are relocating their operations to remote forest areas to evade security agencies.
Speaking during an inspection of a recently dismantled methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, described the operation as a major breakthrough in the agency’s fight against illicit drug trafficking.
According to him, the industrial-scale laboratory, hidden in a forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area, was jointly operated by a Nigerian drug cartel and Mexican methamphetamine experts. The facility was dismantled in May, with operatives recovering more than 2.4 tonnes of methamphetamine and chemical substances valued at over $362 million (about N480 billion).
Babafemi said the seizure prevented a dangerous quantity of the highly addictive drug from reaching communities in Nigeria, the West African sub-region and international markets.
He revealed that NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), had expressed concern over efforts by international drug cartels to establish meth production bases in the South-West, stressing that the agency would not allow criminal groups to gain a foothold anywhere in the country.
Babafemi added that 10 suspects, including alleged drug baron Anochili Innocent, three Mexican nationals and six other accomplices, are currently facing prosecution over the case.
NDLEA’s head prosecutor in Lagos, Adekunle Adebajo, said additional exhibits would be presented when the trial resumes, while the agency awaits the court’s decision on its application regarding the dismantled production facility.