The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory allegedly linked to a Mexican drug cartel in Enugu State, arresting two suspected kingpins and recovering more than 2,000 litres of precursor chemicals.
The suspects, 45-year-old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, alias Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Georginus Monday, alias George, were arrested following months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
NDLEA said the suspects allegedly operated the laboratory in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, in partnership with Rodriguez Villanueva, described by the agency as a member of a Mexican drug cartel based in Mexico City.
The two suspects were arraigned before Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division, on five counts bordering on conspiracy, the organisation, management and financing of a drug trafficking organisation and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production.
They pleaded to the charges, while the court fixed October 21, 2026, for trial following an application by NDLEA for an accelerated hearing.
Three other suspects named in the charge — Uchenna, alias Uche; Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu; and Villanueva — remain at large.
NDLEA said its Special Operations Unit tracked Brown’s movements across Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states between December 1 and 4, 2025, before tracing him to a compound in Obeagu.
The agency said operatives subsequently uncovered a clandestine laboratory equipped with improvised reactors and distillation apparatus capable of producing methamphetamine in commercial quantities.
A search of the facility led to the recovery of 690 litres of methylamine, 1,000 litres of isopropyl alcohol, 300 litres of hydrochloric acid, 290 litres each of toluene and acetone, and 400 litres of liquid sodium hydroxide.
Operatives also recovered 125kg of N-phenylacetamide, 414kg of lead acetate and 769.6kg of tartaric acid, among other controlled substances.
A related search of George’s family residence yielded eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11kg of ephedrine.
The NDLEA said the quantity and combination of chemicals recovered were consistent with a high-volume methamphetamine manufacturing operation.
Reacting to the operation, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the agency would continue to track down every suspect connected to the alleged cartel who remains at large.
Marwa commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and determination in dismantling the syndicate.
He described the Enugu laboratory bust as further evidence that Nigeria would not be allowed to become a haven for transnational drug cartels.
“Dismantling the syndicate is another proof that transnational drug networks won’t have any space to operate in Nigeria,” Marwa said.
He said the agency’s intelligence-driven operations and international partnerships would continue to target loopholes exploited by local and foreign drug traffickers.
Marwa also directed NDLEA personnel to sustain enforcement operations against illicit drug production and trafficking until the country is rid of the threat posed by the illegal drug trade.
