The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered and dismantled a large-scale clandestine methamphetamine production facility hidden within a forest in Oyo State, arresting a Mexican national and four Nigerian suspects allegedly linked to an international drug trafficking network.

The illicit laboratory was discovered in Tapa Village, located in Ibarapa North Local Government Area, during a coordinated operation carried out by NDLEA operatives.

According to the agency, the latest breakthrough comes just weeks after another major methamphetamine laboratory was dismantled in a forested area of Ogun State, raising concerns about attempts by drug syndicates to establish synthetic drug production bases in the South-West region.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), represented by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, described the operation as a significant blow to organised drug trafficking networks.

He disclosed that operatives raided the facility on June 17, leading to the arrest of five key suspects, including 56-year-old Mexican national Jose Villa Ochoa, who was allegedly brought into Nigeria to provide technical expertise for large-scale methamphetamine production.

The other suspects arrested were identified as Maxwell Uche Nevoh, Olatunji Yusuf, Bankole Akeem Owolabi, and Ganiu Monsiu, all believed to have played various operational and logistical roles within the syndicate.

NDLEA said forensic and chemical experts who later examined the site discovered extensive quantities of precursor chemicals, industrial catalysts, and sophisticated equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Among the materials recovered were large volumes of Phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), phenylacetic acid, sulphuric acid, tartaric acid, caustic soda, ethyl phenylacetate, aluminium foil, and several drums containing substances at different stages of chemical processing.

Investigators also recovered industrial-grade production equipment, including a reactor pot, distillation units, condensers, mixers, and drying machines believed to have been used in large-scale drug production.

Field tests conducted by NDLEA forensic specialists confirmed that samples recovered from the facility tested positive for methamphetamine, while other substances were identified as precursor chemicals used in the manufacturing process.

The agency stated that all recovered exhibits have been secured and documented as evidence for prosecution.

Marwa noted that the discovery highlights the growing efforts of drug trafficking organisations to relocate their operations to remote forest locations in an attempt to evade detection by law enforcement agencies.

He warned that Nigeria would not serve as a safe haven for local or foreign drug cartels, stressing that the agency remains committed to identifying, tracking, and dismantling criminal networks involved in illicit drug production and trafficking.

The NDLEA boss also commended officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and dedication, while appreciating members of the public for providing intelligence that contributed to the success of the raid.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations against drug syndicates and preventing the spread of illicit substances across communities in Nigeria and beyond.