The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled another Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
ThelensNG reports that the NDLEA had recently uncovered similar cartels and clandestine laboratories in Ogun, Oyo, and Ebonyi States.
In the latest operation, two suspected kingpins — Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, 45, alias Brown, and Chukwu Georginus Monday, 60, alias George — were arrested in connection with the operation of the methamphetamine laboratory.
According to the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the laboratory was allegedly operated in partnership with a Mexican drug cartel member, Rodriguez Villanueva, who is based in Mexico City, Mexico, following several months of intelligence gathering and surveillance on the syndicate.
The suspects were subsequently arraigned before Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, as well as the organisation, management and financing of a drug-trafficking organisation and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals used in the production of methamphetamine, contrary to the NDLEA Act.
Following their pleas, Justice Segun-Bello scheduled their trial for October 21, 2026, after the Agency applied for an accelerated hearing.
Also named in the charge and currently at large are Uchenna, alias Uche; Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu; and Rodriguez Villanueva, whom the NDLEA identified as a 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,” Babafemi said.
He disclosed that 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, 290 litres each of toluene and acetone, and 400 litres of liquid sodium hydroxide.
Others included 125 kilograms of N-phenylacetamide, 414 kilograms of lead acetate and 769.6 kilograms of tartaric acid, among other controlled substances. The NDLEA stated that the haul was consistent with a high-potency, P2P-based methamphetamine manufacturing operation.
Babafemi also revealed that a search of George’s family residence yielded eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators, and 11 kilograms of ephedrine, further highlighting the alleged scale of the cartel’s operations.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), reaffirmed the Agency’s resolve to track down all fleeing suspects connected to the cartel and ensure that they face the full weight of the law.
Marwa commended all NDLEA officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and doggedness in cracking another international drug syndicate.
He described the Enugu laboratory bust as further proof that Nigeria would 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.
He further charged all personnel to sustain the momentum of relentless enforcement until the nation is rid of the scourge of illicit drug production and trafficking.
