A quiet forest on the outskirts of Abidga has become the centre of a major anti-drug operation after authorities uncovered a concealed laboratory allegedly used for the production of illicit substances.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said it raided a hidden laboratory located within Abidga Forest, leading to the arrest of 10 suspects, including three Mexican production specialists and a suspected Nigerian drug kingpin identified as Anochili Innocent.
According to the agency, operatives recovered more than 2.4 tons of methamphetamine and chemicals estimated to be worth over N480 billion during the operation.
Authorities said the illicit substances and chemical materials were capable of producing millions of doses for distribution on the streets.
Investigators further disclosed that the syndicate allegedly disguised the illegal operation as a farming activity in an attempt to evade detection by security agencies.
Chairman of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the seizure as one of the most significant operations carried out by the agency.
Marwa identified the network as the “Anochili Innocent syndicate” and reiterated the agency’s commitment to tracking down and dismantling drug cartels operating across Nigeria.
He assured Nigerians that the NDLEA would continue intensifying efforts to combat the production and trafficking of illicit drugs in the country.