The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a suspected Nigerian-Mexican drug trafficking network and uncovered a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The operation led to the arrest and arraignment of two suspected members of the network, identified as 45-year-old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, also known as Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Georginus Monday, alias George.
According to the NDLEA, the suspects allegedly operated the laboratory in collaboration with Rodriguez Villanueva, whom the agency identified as a Mexican drug cartel member based in Mexico City.
The agency said the arrests followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance by its Special Operations Unit.
NDLEA said surveillance conducted between December 1 and 4, 2025, tracked Christopher’s movements through Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states before operatives traced him to a compound in Obeagu, where they discovered the suspected laboratory.
The facility was reportedly equipped with improvised reactors and distillation equipment capable of producing methamphetamine in commercial quantities. The agency said the laboratory was similar to other clandestine facilities recently dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi states.
Large quantities of chemicals recovered
NDLEA said its search of the facility resulted in the recovery of substantial quantities of precursor chemicals.
The seized substances reportedly included 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 125 kilogrammes of N-phenylacetamide, 414 kilogrammes of lead acetate and 769.6 kilogrammes of tartaric acid, among other controlled substances.
The agency said the combination of chemicals was consistent with a P2P-based methamphetamine manufacturing operation.
A separate search of George’s family residence allegedly led to the recovery of eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11 kilogrammes of ephedrine.
Suspects arraigned
The two suspects were arraigned before 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 organisation, as well as unlawful possession of precursor chemicals allegedly used in methamphetamine production.
The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following an application by the NDLEA for an accelerated hearing, the court fixed October 21, 2026, for trial.
Three other individuals named in the charge, identified as Uchenna, alias Uche; Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu; and Rodriguez Villanueva, are currently at large, according to the agency.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the agency would continue efforts to locate the remaining suspects and bring them before the court.
Marwa described the operation as evidence of the agency’s efforts to disrupt transnational drug networks seeking to establish production bases in Nigeria.
The NDLEA said intelligence-driven operations and international cooperation would remain central to its efforts to combat illicit drug production and trafficking in the country.
The case will return to court on October 21 as the prosecution begins proceedings against the two suspects.
