The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu LGA of Enugu state.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, relayed in a statement on
Thursday that two suspected kingpins, Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, 45, alias
Brown; and Chukwu Georginus Monday, 60, alias George; were arrested over their
involvement in the operation.
Babafemi said the duo operated the laboratory in partnership
with Rodriguez Villanueva, a notorious Mexican drug cartel member based in
Mexico City.
He said the arrests followed several months of intelligence
gathering and surveillance on the syndicate.
“As a result, they were arraigned before Hon. Justice Mabel
Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division, on a
five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, the organisation, management and
financing of a Drug Trafficking Organization, and unlawful possession of
precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production, contrary to the NDLEA
Act,” the statement reads.
“After their plea, Justice Segun-Bello has now scheduled
their trial for 21st October 2026, following an application by the Agency for
an accelerated hearing.
“Also named in the charge, and currently at large, are
Uchenna, alias Uche; Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu; and Rodriguez Villanueva,
who is a notorious member of a Mexican drug cartel.
“Investigations by a Special Operations Unit (SOU) of NDLEA
revealed a sophisticated, transnational operation by the Nigerian-Mexican
cartel.
“Surveillance activities by NDLEA between 1st and 4th
December, 2025, tracked Brown’s movements between Lagos, Enugu and Anambra
States, ultimately leading operatives to a compound in Obeagu where a
clandestine laboratory capable of producing methamphetamine in commercial
quantities was uncovered.
“The lab, fitted with improvised reactors and distillation
apparatus, mirrored similar facilities recently dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and
Ebonyi.”
The agency said a search of the premises led to the recovery
of large quantities of precursor chemicals, 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, 125 kilogrammes of N-phenylacetamide, 414 kilogrammes of lead
acetate and 769.6 kilogrammes of tartaric acid.
NDLEA said the recovered substances were consistent with a
P2P-based methamphetamine manufacturing operation.
A search of George’s family residence also led to the
recovery of eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four
dehydrators and 11 kilogrammes of ephedrine.
Mohammed Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, said the agency would
track down all fleeing suspects connected to the cartel and ensure they face
the law.
“He described the Enugu lab bust as further proof that
Nigeria will not be allowed to become a haven for transnational drug cartels,
warning that the Agency’s intelligence-driven operations and international
partnerships would continue to close every loophole exploited by drug barons,
whether local or foreign,” the statement reads.
“He reiterated his charge to all NDLEA personnel to sustain
the momentum of relentless enforcement until the nation is rid of the scourge
of illicit drug production and trafficking.”
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