Nigeria’s largest illegal methamphetamine laboratory has been dismantled by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following a court order.
The meth lab was hidden deep inside a forest in Ogun State and had allegedly been used to produce large quantities of methamphetamine.
Authorities carried out the demolition while the criminal trial involving three Mexican nationals and several Nigerian suspects continues in Lagos.
Meanwhile, officials say the action was necessary to prevent further environmental damage caused by dangerous chemicals left at the site.
According to the NDLEA, the makeshift laboratory was located on about one acre of land between Abidagba and Iroto communities in Ogun State.
The agency brought in a welder and a carpenter to dismantle the heavy equipment used for producing methamphetamine.
Large metal containers and filtration machines were carefully taken apart under the supervision of NDLEA officers.
Earlier in May, the agency arrested ten suspects during coordinated raids linked to the operation.
The suspects included three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians.
Authorities also searched two residential properties in an upscale area of Lagos.
During the operation, drugs and chemicals worth an estimated $360 million were recovered.
The court later ordered the destruction of the laboratory because of the environmental risks it posed.
NDLEA Director of Forensics, Patricia Afolabi, explained that chemicals left inside the facility threatened both groundwater and air quality.
Even after the arrests, barrels containing chemicals and unfinished products reportedly continued releasing harmful vapours.
Speaking on the agency’s readiness to tackle international drug syndicates, NDLEA Deputy Commander of Narcotics, James Taalba, expressed confidence in Nigeria’s security efforts.
“About our readiness to combat the cartel… yes, we are ready.”
He added:
“We have people who are capable of curtailing such a situation.”
Experts have noted that West Africa has increasingly become a transit route for drugs moving from South America to Europe.
However, methamphetamine can also be produced locally, making illegal laboratories a growing concern across the region.
Furthermore, reports indicate that meth-related arrests and laboratory discoveries have increased over the past decade.
Residents living near the hidden laboratory said they had no idea illegal drugs were being produced so close to their homes.
Local farmer Florence Banjo recalled noticing strange smells drifting into her village.
Initially, she believed the odour came from a nearby pig farm.
She said the construction activity even gave residents hope that new development was coming.
“We heard rumours that they were going to build (a housing) estate there, and I was happy that they’d finally pave the road that leads into our village.”
However, those expectations quickly disappeared after the true nature of the site became known.
“We were disappointed.”
However, the case remains before the court in Lagos.
