By Ibironke Ariyo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
This is contained in a statement by NDLEA, Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi on Thursday in Abuja. Babafemi said that two kingpins were arrested in connection with the operation of the meth lab in partnership with a notorious Mexican drug cartel member based in Mexico City, Mexico. This, he said, was after several months of intelligence and surveillance on the syndicate.
“As a result, they were arraigned before Hon. Justice Mabel Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division, on a five-count charge. This is bordering on conspiracy, the organisation, management and financing of a Drug Trafficking organisation, 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 October 21, following an application by the Agency for an accelerated hearing. Also named in the charge, and currently at large, are Uchenna, alias Uche; Celestine Iwuchukwu; and Rodriguez Villanueva, who is a notorious member of a Mexican drug cartel,” he said.
Babafemi said that investigations by a Special Operations Unit (SOU) of NDLEA revealed a sophisticated, transnational operation by the Nigerian-Mexican cartel.
He said that surveillance activities by NDLEA between Dec. 1 and Dec. 4, 2025, tracked the suspect movements between Lagos, Enugu and Anambra States.
This, he said, ultimately led 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. A search of the premises led to the recovery of vast quantities of precursor chemicals, including 690 litres of methylamine, 1,000 litres of isopropyl alcohol, 300 litres of hydrochloric acid. Others are 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. Among other controlled substances, a haul consistent with a high-potency, P2P-based methamphetamine manufacturing operation,” he said.
Babafemi said that a related search of the second suspect family residence yielded eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators, and 11 kilograms of ephedrine, further underscoring the scale of the cartel’s operations.
Reacting to the development, the NDLEA chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering resolve to track down every fleeing suspect connected to the cartel, and ensure that they all face the full weight of the law.
Marwa commended all NDLEA officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and doggedness in cracking yet another international drug syndicate.
He described the Enugu lab bust as further proof that Nigeria would not be allowed to become a haven for transnational drug cartels.
He warned 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 NDLEA boss reiterated his charge to all NDLEA personnel to sustain the momentum of relentless enforcement until the nation was rid of the scourge of illicit drug production and trafficking.
NAN
