NDLEA Destroys Major Meth Lab in Oyo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a highly sophisticated methamphetamine laboratory hidden deep inside a forest in Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, dealing a major blow to an international drug trafficking network.

The operation, carried out by NDLEA tactical officers, led to the arrest of five suspected members of a Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel, including a Mexican national identified as Jose Villa Ochoa, who investigators said was recruited to provide technical expertise for large-scale methamphetamine production. Four Nigerians — Maxwell Uche Nevoh, Olatunji Yusuf, Bankole Akeem Owolabi, and Ganiu Monsiu — were also arrested during the raid.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), represented by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, described the facility as an industrial-scale operation equipped for the mass production of synthetic drugs.

According to the agency, forensic teams discovered large quantities of controlled chemicals and drug-making materials, including Phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), Phenylacetic acid, Sulphuric Acid, Caustic Soda, and other substances commonly used in methamphetamine production. Officers also recovered heavy-duty processing equipment such as reactor pots, distillation units, condensers and industrial drying machines.

Laboratory tests conducted at the site confirmed the presence of methamphetamine, while additional samples tested positive for precursor chemicals used in drug synthesis. NDLEA said all recovered exhibits have been secured and documented for prosecution.

The agency noted that the discovery came only weeks after another major methamphetamine laboratory was dismantled in Ogun State, raising concerns about efforts by drug syndicates to establish a drug manufacturing hub in South-West Nigeria.

Marwa warned both local and international traffickers that Nigeria would not serve as a safe haven for illicit drug operations. He praised the professionalism of officers involved in the mission and thanked members of the public for providing intelligence that contributed to the successful operation.