Drug barons hiding in forests will not escape justice, NDLEA warns after Oyo raid

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a large-scale methamphetamine production facility concealed within a forest in Oyo State, arresting a Mexican national and four Nigerians suspected of operating a transnational drug manufacturing network. The discovery was made in Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area, where operatives uncovered what the agency described as a highly sophisticated industrial-scale laboratory used for the production of synthetic drugs. The operation comes less than a month after NDLEA officers dismantled another clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in a forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, raising concerns over attempts by drug syndicates to establish a manufacturing base in Southwest Nigeria. Speaking at the agency's headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), represented by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the June 17 operation followed intelligence-led surveillance and tactical planning. According to Marwa, five key members of the cartel were arrested during the raid, including 56-year-old Mexican national Jose Villa Ochoa, who was allegedly brought into the country to provide technical expertise for large-scale methamphetamine production. The other suspects were identified as Maxwell Uche Nevoh, 30; Olatunji Yusuf, 37; Bankole Akeem Owolabi, 45; and Ganiu Monsiu, 43. He described the operation as evidence of the international nature of modern drug trafficking networks, noting that the arrest of a foreign methamphetamine specialist highlights the growing collaboration between local and foreign criminal groups. A forensic team deployed to the site a day after the raid discovered an extensive production line containing large quantities of precursor chemicals, industrial catalysts and processing equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Among the recovered materials were drums containing Phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), a highly controlled substance used in meth production, large volumes of Phenylacetic Acid, Sulphuric Acid, Caustic Soda and other chemicals commonly associated with synthetic drug manufacturing. Investigators also recovered reactor pots, mounted distillation units, industrial mixers, condensers and drying machines believed to have been used in processing and refining the illicit substance.

Field tests conducted at the scene reportedly confirmed that samples of the crystalline substances recovered from the facility tested positive for methamphetamine. Marwa said the laboratory and equipment represented a multi-billion-naira investment capable of producing millions of doses of dangerous narcotics for distribution within Nigeria and beyond. He warned that the agency would continue to intensify efforts against drug trafficking organisations, stressing that criminal networks can no longer rely on remote forest locations to evade detection. “Those behind these operations believed the forests would provide cover for their activities. They were mistaken. We will continue to track, locate and dismantle every illegal drug production facility wherever it is found,” he said. The NDLEA boss commended officers of the Oyo State Command for their professionalism during the operation and urged members of the public to continue supporting the agency with credible information capable of aiding the fight against illicit drugs.

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