The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a sophisticated methamphetamine production laboratory hidden inside a forest in Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, leading to the arrest of five suspects, including a Mexican national allegedly recruited to provide technical expertise.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed the development on Wednesday in Abuja, describing the operation as a significant breakthrough in the agency’s efforts to dismantle drug trafficking and manufacturing networks operating across the country.
According to Marwa, who was represented by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the laboratory was raided on June 17 following credible intelligence. He said the facility was a highly organised industrial-scale operation run by a transnational drug syndicate.
The suspects arrested during the operation were identified as 56-year-old Mexican national, Jose Villa Ochoa, and four Nigerians: Maxwell Nevoh, 30; Olatunji Yusuf, 37; Bankole Owolabi, 45; and Ganiu Monsiu, 43.
Marwa said the arrest of the foreign suspect highlights the international dimension of the illicit drug trade and demonstrates the agency’s growing intelligence and enforcement capabilities.
A post-operation assessment by forensic experts revealed a large stockpile of precursor chemicals, suspected methamphetamine substances and heavy-duty equipment used for drug production. Among the items recovered were drums containing phenylacetic acid and other chemical compounds used in the synthesis of methamphetamine, as well as reactor pots, distillation units, mixers and condensers.
The NDLEA boss said preliminary field tests conducted on samples recovered from the site confirmed the presence of methamphetamine, while all exhibits have been secured for further forensic analysis and prosecution.
Describing the seizure as a major blow to drug cartels, Marwa said the operation prevented large quantities of synthetic drugs from reaching Nigerian communities and international markets. He added that the discovery, coming barely a month after another methamphetamine laboratory was uncovered in Ogun State, suggests a deliberate attempt by drug syndicates to establish a manufacturing hub in the South-West region.
He warned both local and foreign drug traffickers that Nigeria would not become a safe haven for illicit drug production, stressing that security agencies would continue to track and dismantle criminal networks wherever they operate.
Marwa commended officers of the NDLEA Oyo State Command for their professionalism and bravery during the operation and also appreciated members of the public for providing intelligence that contributed to the successful raid.
