The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered and dismantled a massive methamphetamine production facility hidden deep inside a forest in Oyo State, arresting a suspected Mexican drug expert and four Nigerian suspects in what officials describe as a breakthrough against an international drug cartel.
The industrial-scale laboratory was discovered in Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, during a raid by NDLEA operatives on June 17.
Among those arrested was 56-year-old Jose Villa Ochoa, a Mexican national allegedly recruited to provide technical expertise for large-scale meth production. Four Nigerians identified as Maxwell Uche Nevoh, Olatunji Yusuf, Bankole Akeem Owolabi, and Ganiu Monsiu were also arrested.
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NDLEA Chairman Brigadier Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) said the facility was equipped with large quantities of precursor chemicals and industrial processing equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
According to the agency, forensic tests carried out at the site confirmed the presence of methamphetamine, while all recovered substances and equipment have been secured as evidence.
The discovery comes barely four weeks after the NDLEA dismantled another large meth laboratory hidden in a forest in neighbouring Ogun State, raising concerns over attempts by drug cartels to establish the South-West as a hub for synthetic drug production.
“We will find you in the cities, we will track you into the forests, and we will dismantle your infrastructure of death,” Marwa warned.
The agency described the operation as another significant blow against transnational drug trafficking networks and commended officers involved in the raid for their professionalism and courage.
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