NDLEA Busts Nigerian-Mexican Drug Cartel, Dismantles Multibillion-Naira Meth Lab in Oyo Forest
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered and dismantled a fortified, industrial-scale clandestine methamphetamine laboratory operated by a Nigerian-Mexican cartel deep within the forest of Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The operation led to the arrest of five key members of the cartel on-site, including a 56-year-old Mexican methamphetamine expert, Jose Villa Ochoa, who was brought in specifically to provide the technical expertise for large-scale synthesis, and four Nigerian collaborators providing logistical support, cover, and local operations, namely Maxwell Uche Nevoh, 30; Olatunji Yusuf, 37; Bankole Akeem Owolabi, 45; and Ganiu Monsiu, 43.
This comes barely four weeks after the NDLEA dismantled a similar massive meth laboratory in a forest in Ijebu East, Ogun State.
According to a statement made available to ThelensNG on Wednesday by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the development signals a desperate attempt by drug barons to turn the Southwest axis into a synthetic drug manufacturing hub.
Speaking on the latest development at the NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), who was represented by Babafemi at a press briefing on Wednesday, commended the gallantry, dedication, and clinical professionalism of the officers involved in the operation.
“On Wednesday, 17th June 2026, tactical operatives of the NDLEA stormed a highly fortified, industrial-scale clandestine methamphetamine laboratory operating deep within the forest of Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area, Oyo State,” Babafemi said.
He noted that it was not a rudimentary setup but a sophisticated, highly organised transnational syndicate.
Babafemi stated that the arrest of a foreign cartel specialist on Nigerian soil highlights the transnational nature of this threat and, more importantly, the Agency’s world-class intelligence capability to track, intercept, and neutralise such criminal networks.
He revealed that following the successful raid, a specialised team from the NDLEA’s Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring moved in on June 18 to conduct a rigorous forensic examination of the facility.
“What they uncovered is a massive, factory-level production line of poison. The laboratory was fully stocked with a frightening array of precursor chemicals, industrial catalysts, and heavy-duty processing equipment,” he said.
The spokesperson outlined the chemicals and materials recovered, including Phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), which is the main, highly controlled precursor required for methamphetamine synthesis; 1,800-litre drums containing Phenylacetic acid, the primary precursor used to synthesise P2P; two 180-litre drums containing a staggering 300 litres of whitish crystalline substance; and four 180-litre drums containing dark liquid undergoing synthesis.
Others include 101 bags of Caustic Soda weighing 25kg each; 17 containers of Sulphuric Acid measuring 25 litres each; 19.5 containers of Tartaric Acid weighing 25kg each; five containers of Reniso Ultracool 68, comprising three 50-litre and two 25-litre containers; 25 bottles of 80 per cent Thioglycolic Acid measuring 500ml each; two containers of Ethyl Phenylacetate measuring 25 litres each; and 25 cartons of aluminium foil.
Similarly, the industrial processing equipment discovered at the site includes one reactor pot, which serves as the heart of the chemical synthesis process; two mounted distillation units; three fabricated mixers and condensers; and two vegetable dehydrator machines used for the rapid drying of crystals.
The spokesperson stressed that immediate field tests were conducted by the Agency’s forensic experts and that samples of the finished crystals recovered yielded a definitive positive result for methamphetamine.
Babafemi also disclosed that the crystalline substance from one of the 180-litre drums tested positive for Phenylacetic acid, confirming that every gram of the exhibits has been safely evacuated, documented, and preserved for comprehensive evidential presentation in court.
“This is yet another multibillion-naira worth of illicit substances and production equipment ready to push millions of doses of synthetic drugs into our streets, communities, and the international community, but for the vigilance of our dedicated officers,” he stated.
He reiterated that the proximity of the latest discovery to the Ogun State lab uncovered about four weeks ago reveals a desperate attempt by drug barons to establish a synthetic drug manufacturing hub in the Southwest axis, adding that the cartels thought hiding in dense forests would shield them from the long arm of the law, but they were mistaken.
“Let the message go out clearly to all drug cartels, domestic and international that Nigeria is not, and will never be, a safe haven for your illicit trade. We will find you in the cities, we will track you into the forests, and we will dismantle your infrastructure of death,” Babafemi warned. “They thought hiding in dense forests would shield them from the long arm of the law. They were wrong.”
“We want to commend the gallantry, dedication, and clinical professionalism of our officers of the Oyo State Command involved in this operation. To the Nigerian public, we say thank you for your continued trust and credible information. Together, we are securing the future of our nation,” he added.
