NDLEA Arrests Mexican, Four Nigerians After Discovering Meth Lab In Oyo Forest

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered and shut down a large methamphetamine production site hidden inside a forest in Oyo State.

The illegal facility was found in Tapa village, located in Ibarapa North Local Government Area, during an operation carried out by NDLEA tactical officers on June 17.

Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system and is widely abused as an illegal drug.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), said the operation exposed a sophisticated drug manufacturing network with international connections.

Marwa, represented by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that five suspects were arrested during the raid, including a Mexican national believed to have been brought into Nigeria to oversee the production process.

The suspects were identified as Jose Villa Ochoa, a 56-year-old Mexican, alongside four Nigerians named Maxwell Uche Nevoh, 30; Olatunji Yusuf, 37; Bankole Akeem Owolabi, 45; and Ganiu Monsiu, 43.

According to the NDLEA, Ochoa was recruited because of his expertise in methamphetamine production, while the Nigerian suspects were responsible for local coordination and logistics.

“This was not a rudimentary setup; it was a sophisticated, highly organized transnational syndicate,” Marwa said.

He said the involvement of a foreign expert highlights the international nature of drug trafficking activities and demonstrates the effectiveness of the agency’s intelligence and surveillance efforts.

Following the arrests, NDLEA forensic and chemical monitoring experts inspected the facility and discovered a factory-sized production centre equipped for large-scale drug manufacturing.

“What they uncovered is a massive, factory-level production line of poison,” Marwa said.

“The laboratory was fully stocked with a frightening array of precursor chemicals, industrial catalysts, and heavy-duty processing equipment.

“Chemicals and Materials recovered include: Phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), which is the the main, highly controlled precursor required for methamphetamine synthesis; 1800-litre drums containing Phenylacetic acid (the primary precursor used to synthesize P2P); Two 180L drums containing a staggering 300 litres of whitish crystalline substance; Four 180L drums containing dark liquid undergoing synthesis.

“Others include: 101 bags (25kg each) of Caustic Soda; 17 containers (25L each) of Sulphuric Acid; 19.5 containers (25kg each) of Tartaric Acid; 5 containers of Reniso Ultracool 68 (three 50L and two 25L capacity; 25 bottles (500ml each) of 80% Thioglycolic Acid; 2 containers (25L each) of Ethyl Phenylacetate, and 25 cartons of aluminum foil.

“The Industrial Processing Equipment discovered at the site include: One (1) Reactor Pot, which is the heart of the chemical synthesis; Two (2) mounted distillation units and three (3) fabricated mixers and condensers; as well as Two (2) vegetable dehydrator machines used for the rapid drying of the crystals.

“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 added that laboratory tests conducted by NDLEA experts confirmed the presence of methamphetamine among the substances recovered during the operation.

“Every single gram of these exhibits has been safely evacuated, documented, and preserved for comprehensive and strict evidential presentation in court,” he added.

The discovery comes only weeks after another methamphetamine laboratory was dismantled in a forest area within Ijebu-East Local Government Area.

Marwa said the repeated discoveries suggest that drug trafficking groups are attempting to establish a major synthetic drug production network in the South-West region.

“The proximity of this 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,” he said.

He warned local and international drug syndicates that the NDLEA would continue to track and dismantle their operations wherever they are located.

“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,” he added.

The NDLEA chairman also praised officers of the agency’s Oyo State Command for their role in the successful operation and encouraged members of the public to continue sharing useful information that could help combat drug-related crimes.

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