Federal Court Remands Drug Kingpin, Three Mexicans Over N480bn Meth Lab

​LAGOS — The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of a 63-year-old alleged drug kingpin, Anochili Innocent, alongside three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian associates, following their arraignment on an 11-count charge of operating a high-capacity methamphetamine laboratory.

​The suspects, who appeared before Justice Musa Kakaki on Friday, are accused of establishing a super clandestine laboratory at Mowe village in the Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State. Prosecutors allege the facility was used to produce 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, estimated to be worth over N480 billion on the international market.

​The Indictment

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) led the investigation, which culminated in coordinated raids between May 16 and May 18, 2026. The charges center on the production, processing, and distribution of illicit substances, including the illegal transport of precursor chemicals such as toluene, acetone, and hydrochloric acid.

​The defendants, including the trio of Mexican experts—Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix, and Jesus López Valles—entered pleas of not guilty to all counts. Anochili, identified as the owner of the property where the lab was situated, faces an additional charge under Section 12 of the NDLEA Act for permitting his land to be used for the production of illicit drugs.

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​Judicial Proceedings

While the prosecution stated it was prepared to proceed with seven witnesses, the defense requested additional time to review the evidence. Consequently, Justice Kakaki remanded all ten defendants to the Correctional Centre in Lagos. The case has been adjourned to July 16 and July 22 for the commencement of trial and the hearing of bail applications.

​Transnational Narcotics Warning

NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the bust as a landmark achievement in the fight against transnational organized crime.

​”The presence of Mexican nationals in this syndicate underscores the alarming, evolving reach of international cartels attempting to utilize Nigeria as a manufacturing hub,” Marwa stated. “The Agency remains resolute in its mandate to dismantle these networks, regardless of how well-financed or sophisticated they appear.”

​The operation saw the seizure of significant quantities of precursor chemicals and the arrests of suspects across various locations, including the kingpin’s residence in the Golf Estate, Lakowe, and a secondary stash house in Mayfair Estate, both in the Lekki area of Lagos.

​As the trial approaches, the NDLEA has reiterated its call for increased public vigilance and the continued reporting of suspicious activities to support national efforts in curbing the drug trade.