NDLEA Dismantles Major Forest Meth Laboratory

NDLEA operatives have uncovered and dismantled a large-scale methamphetamine laboratory in Oyo State, dealing a major setback to an international drug syndicate.

The NDLEA has recorded another significant success in its fight against illicit drugs after dismantling a sophisticated methamphetamine laboratory hidden deep inside a forest in Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State. The operation comes less than a month after the agency uncovered a similar facility in a forested area of Ogun State, raising concerns about efforts by criminal networks to establish a synthetic drug hub in Nigeria’s South-West region.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), represented by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, praised the professionalism and courage of officers involved in the operation. He described the facility as a highly organised industrial-scale operation rather than a basic drug production site.

During the raid, officers arrested five suspects, including Jose Villa Ochoa, a 56-year-old Mexican national allegedly brought into Nigeria to provide technical expertise for large-scale meth production. Four Nigerian collaborators were also taken into custody for their alleged roles in local operations and logistics.

Investigators later discovered extensive quantities of precursor chemicals, industrial catalysts and specialised processing equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Forensic examinations and field tests confirmed the presence of both methamphetamine and key substances used in its production.

According to the agency, the recovered materials and equipment were worth several billions of naira and could have produced millions of doses of illicit drugs. The NDLEA said all exhibits have been documented and preserved for use in court proceedings.

The agency warned drug cartels that Nigeria will not become a safe base for illegal drug manufacturing and vowed to continue targeting criminal networks wherever they operate.

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