The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has taken ten suspects to court over an alleged ₦480 billion methamphetamine factory uncovered in Ogun State.
The suspects include an alleged drug baron, three Mexican nationals and six Nigerians.
NDLEA officers arrested the suspects during coordinated operations in Ogun and Lagos between May 16 and May 18, 2026.
The agency said it discovered a hidden methamphetamine laboratory deep inside a forest in Mowe, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Investigators recovered 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine from the site.
The agency estimated the drugs to be worth more than ₦480 billion on the international market.
Officers also recovered chemicals used to produce methamphetamine.
These included hydrochloric acid, toluene, acetone, phenyl-2-propanone (P2P) and phenylacetic acid.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects worked together to establish and operate the illegal drug laboratory.
The NDLEA also accused them of financing a drug trafficking network and moving chemicals from Lagos to the laboratory in Ogun State.
The alleged kingpin, Anochili Innocent, faces an additional charge.
The agency accused him of allowing his property to be used for illegal drug production.
All ten defendants pleaded not guilty.
Justice Musa Kakaki remanded them at the Lagos Correctional Centre.
The court fixed July 16 and July 22, 2026, for the hearing of the trial and bail applications.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), described the operation as one of the agency’s biggest victories against organised drug trafficking.
He said the involvement of Mexican nationals shows that international drug cartels are trying to establish drug production bases in Nigeria.
Marwa also urged Nigerians to continue providing useful information to support the fight against drug trafficking.
