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Nigeria Seizes $363M Meth Cache, Arrests Kingpin

5/21/2026

Summary

NDLEA Dismantles Methlab

Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) dismantled the country’s largest clandestine meth lab, arresting kingpin Anochili Innocent and nine accomplices in coordinated raids on May 16, 2026.
Led by Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, NDLEA seized 2,419.48 kg of meth and precursors valued at $362,922,000 (over N480 billion).
Ten suspects—including three Mexican nationals (Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, Torrero Juan Carlos) and six Nigerians—were detained after follow-up raids on May 18, 2026.

Summary

NDLEA Warns

NDLEA warned cartels are hiring South American specialists to set up meth labs in Nigeria’s rural areas.
Traffickers hide factories behind legitimate farms, prompting Director Marwa to urge citizens to share intelligence.
NDLEA praised the Special Operations Unit and Chemical and Forensic Team after a takedown of Simon Amadi’s network with U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and partners from Greece, France, Switzerland, and India.

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NDLEA Dismantles Methlab

Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) dismantled the country’s largest clandestine meth lab, arresting kingpin Anochili Innocent and nine accomplices in coordinated raids on May 16, 2026.
Led by Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, NDLEA seized 2,419.48 kg of meth and precursors valued at $362,922,000 (over N480 billion).
Ten suspects—including three Mexican nationals (Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, Torrero Juan Carlos) and six Nigerians—were detained after follow-up raids on May 18, 2026.

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