The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered and dismantled another large-scale clandestine methamphetamine production facility hidden inside a forest in Oyo State, dealing a major blow to an alleged transnational drug trafficking network.
The operation led to the arrest of five suspects, including a Mexican national identified as a methamphetamine production specialist, alongside four Nigerian collaborators. The discovery comes just weeks after the agency shut down a similar illegal drug manufacturing facility in a forested area of Ogun State.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), represented by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, described the operation as a major success against organised drug syndicates operating in Nigeria.
According to him, the raid was carried out on June 17, 2026, at Tapa Village in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“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.
“This was not a rudimentary setup; it was a sophisticated, highly organized transnational syndicate. During the raid, our operatives successfully arrested five key members of the cartel on-site. They include a 56-year-old Mexican Methamphetamine expert, Jose Villa Ochoa, brought in specifically to provide the technical expertise for large-scale synthesis and four Nigerian collaborators providing logistical support, cover, and local operations. They are: Maxwell Uche Nevoh, 30; Olatunji Yusuf, 37; Bankole Akeem Owolabi, 45; and Ganiu Monsiu, 43.”
Marwa noted that the presence of a foreign methamphetamine specialist highlights the international dimension of the operation and demonstrates the agency’s growing intelligence capabilities.
Following the arrests, NDLEA forensic experts conducted an extensive examination of the facility and discovered what officials described as a factory-scale drug production centre.
“The arrest of a foreign cartel specialist on Nigerian soil underscores the transnational nature of this threat, but more importantly, it underscores our Agency’s world-class intelligence capability to track, intercept, and neutralize them. Following the successful raid, a specialized team from our Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring moved in on June 18th, 2026, to conduct a rigorous forensic examination of the facility. What they uncovered is a massive, factory-level production line of poison.”
Investigators recovered large quantities of controlled chemicals, industrial catalysts, and sophisticated processing equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Among the items recovered were highly controlled substances such as Phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), Phenylacetic acid, sulphuric acid, caustic soda, tartaric acid, thioglycolic acid, and ethyl phenylacetate. The laboratory also contained reactor pots, distillation units, condensers, mixers, and industrial dehydrator machines used in the drug production process.
Marwa further revealed that preliminary tests confirmed the presence of methamphetamine and other precursor substances at the site.
“As a result, immediate field tests were conducted by our forensic experts. Samples of the finished crystals recovered yielded a definitive positive result for Methamphetamine. Furthermore, the crystalline substance from the 180L drum tested positive for Phenylacetic acid. Every single gram of these exhibits has been safely evacuated, documented, and preserved for comprehensive and strict 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.”
The NDLEA boss expressed concern that criminal groups may be attempting to establish a synthetic drug manufacturing corridor within parts of Southwest Nigeria, particularly given the recent discoveries in both Oyo and Ogun states.
“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. They thought hiding in dense forests would shield them from the long arm of the law. They were wrong.”
He also commended officers involved in the operation and thanked members of the public for providing useful intelligence that contributed to the successful raid.
“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.”
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