The federal high court in Lagos has remanded seven Nigerians and three Mexican nationals at the Lagos correctional centre over their alleged involvement in the operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun state.
The defendants were arraigned on Friday on an 11-count charge bordering on the alleged establishment and operation of an illegal laboratory used to manufacture 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of over N480 billion, in Mowe, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The Mexican defendants are Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix, and Jesus López Valles, while the Nigerian defendants are Anochili Innocent, Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, and Nwobum Emeka.
According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the suspects were arrested during coordinated operations in May 2026 at different locations, including the alleged clandestine laboratory in Ogun State.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesman, said all the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were arraigned before the court.
He explained that after the plea was taken, the prosecution sought to commence trial immediately by calling seven witnesses.
However, counsel to the defendants opposed the application and requested more time to prepare for trial.
Following the submissions of both parties, the trial judge, Justice Musa Kakaki, ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Lagos Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their bail applications.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to July 16 and July 22, 2026, for the hearing of the bail applications and the commencement of trial.
Reacting to the development, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), the chairman of the NDLEA, described the involvement of foreign nationals in the case as evidence of the growing activities of international drug trafficking syndicates in Nigeria.
“The involvement of Mexican nationals in this case exposes the alarming reach of international drug cartels now attempting to entrench themselves in Nigeria,” Marwa said.
He added: “The NDLEA will not relent in tracking down criminal drug networks determined to use Nigeria as a manufacturing hub for illicit drugs. We remain committed to dismantling these syndicates and bringing all those involved to justice.”
The anti-narcotics agency said investigations into the alleged drug syndicate are continuing.