By Ado Oyeyemi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory allegedly operated by a Nigerian-Mexican drug network in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The agency also arrested two men, identified as 45-year-old Chukwu Christopher, alias Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Monday, alias George, over their alleged involvement in the operation.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying the arrests followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance by operatives of the agency.
According to the agency, the suspects allegedly operated the laboratory in collaboration with Rodriguez Villanueva, whom it identified as a Mexican member of a drug cartel based in Mexico City.
The suspects were subsequently arraigned before Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, and the organisation, management and financing of a drug trafficking organisation.
They were also charged with unlawful possession of precursor chemicals allegedly used in the production of methamphetamine, contrary to provisions of the NDLEA Act.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following an application by the NDLEA for an accelerated hearing, the judge fixed October 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The agency said three other persons named in the charges were still at large, adding that investigations by its Special Operations Unit uncovered the alleged transnational operation involving Nigerian and Mexican nationals.
It said surveillance conducted between December 1 and 4, 2025, tracked Brown across Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states before leading operatives to the compound in Obeagu, where they discovered a laboratory allegedly capable of producing methamphetamine on a commercial scale.
NDLEA operatives reportedly recovered large quantities of precursor chemicals from the facility, including 690 litres of methylamine, 1,000 litres of isopropyl alcohol, 300 litres of hydrochloric acid, 290 litres each of toluene and acetone, 400 litres of liquid sodium hydroxide, 125kg of N-phenylacetamide, 414kg of lead acetate and 769.6kg of tartaric acid.
A search of George’s family residence also led to the recovery of eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11kg of ephedrine, according to the agency.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), said the agency would continue its efforts to apprehend the suspects still at large and ensure that all those allegedly involved were brought before the law.
Marwa commended the officers involved in the operation, describing the discovery as evidence of the agency’s efforts to disrupt transnational drug networks and prevent Nigeria from becoming a base for illicit drug production.
He added that intelligence-led operations and international cooperation would be sustained to close loopholes allegedly exploited by drug traffickers.
The latest operation comes amid a series of drug seizures by the agency. The NDLEA said it recently intercepted more than 1.3 million pills of tramadol and other opioids, alongside about 6,000kg of cannabis, with a combined street value of over N3.4bn in operations across several states and the Federal Capital Territory.
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The agency also reported the seizure of 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, weighing 603.75kg and valued at N1.81bn, at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos.
