In a rare courtroom affair, Nigerian judge Justice Musa Kakaki heard evidence inside an illicit meth lab deep in Ogun state’s forest.
The raid arrested 10 suspects – three Mexicans and seven Nigerians – and uncovered chemical equipment, crude meth sludge, caustic soda, propane cylinders and a steaming drum of liquid meth amid a pungent odor.
NDLEA declared the bust “largest‑ever” and seized over two tonnes of meth worth $360 million, revealing a sophisticated, multi‑million‑dollar partnership between local operatives and Mexican cartels.
Intelligence links the operation to Mexico’s Sinaloa and Jalisco New General cartels, with similar labs reported in Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa.
“Wild‑life‑friendly… cheap labour… the supply chain is shortening to Asia and Europe,” said James Griego, US‑Africa Command counter‑narcotics lead, underscoring why the syndicates are turning to West Africa.
NDLEA says the forested geography and porous borders give cartels a cover and a gateway into international markets, while a 2018 survey found 14.4% of Nigeria’s adults had used illicit drugs.
Authorities remain determined to block the trade: “This is why we can catch them before they reach our communities and the global market,” said spokesperson Femi Babafemi.
