The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a Nigerian-Mexican drug trafficking syndicate operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Enugu State, leading to the arraignment of two suspected kingpins before a Federal High Court.
The agency said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance that exposed the activities of the transnational cartel in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the two suspects standing trial are 45-year-old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, also known as Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Georginus Monday, alias George.
The agency alleged that they operated the illegal methamphetamine laboratory in partnership with Rodriguez Villanueva, a suspected member of a notorious Mexican drug cartel based in Mexico City.
Babafemi said the suspects were arrested after several months of intelligence-driven operations.
He said: “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.
“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.”
The NDLEA said investigations by its Special Operations Unit (SOU) uncovered what it described as a sophisticated international drug production network.
According to the agency, surveillance carried out between December 1 and 4, 2025, tracked Brown’s movements across Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states before operatives identified the compound where the methamphetamine laboratory was located.
Investigators said the laboratory was equipped with improvised reactors and distillation equipment capable of producing methamphetamine in commercial quantities. The facility was said to be similar to other clandestine laboratories previously dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi states.
A search of the compound led to the recovery of large quantities of precursor chemicals allegedly used in the production of methamphetamine.
Among the items recovered were 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 kilograms of N-phenylacetamide, 414 kilograms of lead acetate and 769.6 kilograms of tartaric acid, alongside other controlled substances.
The agency said another search conducted at George’s family residence uncovered eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11 kilograms of ephedrine, which investigators believe further demonstrated the scale of the alleged operation.
Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said the agency would continue pursuing every suspect linked to the drug syndicate.
He commended officers involved in the operation for what he described as their professionalism and determination in dismantling another international drug network.
Marwa said the successful operation showed that Nigeria would not be allowed to become a safe haven for transnational drug cartels.
He also warned that the agency would continue to strengthen intelligence-led operations and international collaboration to shut down criminal networks involved in illicit drug production and trafficking.
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