NDLEA Busts Forest Drug Factory in Oyo, Arrests Mexican Suspect and Four Others

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a large-scale methamphetamine production facility hidden in a forest in Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, leading to the arrest of five suspects, including a Mexican national.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed that the operation was carried out on June 17 following intelligence reports that exposed the activities of an organised drug syndicate operating from the remote location.

Among those arrested were 56-year-old Mexican national, Jose Villa Ochoa, alleged to be a methamphetamine production specialist, alongside four Nigerian suspects identified as Maxwell Nevoh, Olatunji Yusuf, Bankole Owolabi and Ganiu Monsiu.

According to the agency, operatives discovered a sophisticated drug manufacturing facility equipped with industrial processing machines, chemical reactors, distillation units, mixers and condensers used in the production of methamphetamine.

Large quantities of controlled chemicals and precursor substances were also recovered from the site, including phenyl-2-propanone, phenylacetic acid, sulphuric acid, caustic soda, tartaric acid and other materials commonly used in synthetic drug production.

NDLEA officials said preliminary forensic examinations confirmed the presence of methamphetamine and revealed that the facility was capable of producing large volumes of the illicit substance.

The agency described the discovery as a major setback for international drug trafficking networks seeking to establish production hubs in Nigeria’s South-West region.

Marwa noted that the latest operation comes weeks after another clandestine methamphetamine laboratory was dismantled in Ogun State, raising concerns over attempts by criminal syndicates to expand synthetic drug production in the region.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tracking and dismantling drug networks across the country, warning traffickers that Nigeria would not serve as a safe haven for illicit drug activities.

The NDLEA also commended members of the public whose intelligence contributed to the successful operation and pledged to sustain efforts aimed at curbing drug production and trafficking nationwide.