International drug cartels invading Ogun, Oyo forests with industrial meth labs — NDLEA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has raised the alarm over attempts by international drug cartels to establish industrial drug production bases inside forests in Ogun and Oyo states.

The agency disclosed that Mexican-linked criminal networks are collaborating with Nigerian syndicates to set up large-scale methamphetamine laboratories hidden deep inside forests.

The Director of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, made this known on Thursday during an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, monitored by DAILY POST in Abeokuta.

Babafemi said the agency has uncovered several attempts by foreign criminal elements to penetrate Nigeria’s illicit drug market, forcing operatives to take the battle directly to their forest hideouts.

According to him, recent intelligence-led operations led to the discovery of meth labs in forests in Ogun and Oyo states, while a similar operation in Ebonyi State also resulted in arrests.

“We’ve seen recently the collaboration between the Nigerian-Mexican cartels trying to have methamphetamine laboratories in the forests of Ogun and Oyo states, and just a few days ago, we had one again in Ebonyi State, and those behind that have been rounded up,” Babafemi said.

He noted that the suspects arrested in connection with the forest labs are in custody, adding that details will be made public once necessary protocols are concluded.

Babafemi explained that the development shows how global and networked drug trafficking has become, with foreign cartels desperately seeking footholds in Nigeria despite tightened security.

“They are trying to come in through whatever means they have to establish footholds because it’s a global phenomenon, it’s a global challenge. So they are all networked, and that’s why we also, as law enforcement, network with our counterparts,” he stated.

He disclosed that the cartels are now avoiding airports and seaports due to increased NDLEA surveillance and are instead moving drugs through neighbouring countries into Nigeria.

Babafemi cited the recent dismantling of a cartel operating through the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor, which he said had for years fuelled opioid abuse among Nigerian youths.

He added that the agency is also strengthening its operations against drug trafficking on social media and the dark web, warning that influencers who glamorise drug use are now under surveillance.

He further stated that efforts are ongoing to dismantle the financial networks of the cartels and seize their assets.