The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Enugu State allegedly operated by a Nigerian-Mexican drug network, following months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
The laboratory was uncovered in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area, with the NDLEA arresting two suspects identified as 45-year-old Chukwu Christopher, alias Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Monday, alias George.
The agency said the suspects allegedly operated the facility in collaboration with Rodriguez Villanueva, whom it identified as a Mexican drug cartel member based in Mexico City.
The operation followed surveillance conducted between December 1 and 4, 2025, during which NDLEA operatives tracked Christopher’s movements across Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states before locating the compound in Obeagu.
According to the agency, the facility was equipped with improvised reactors and distillation apparatus capable of producing methamphetamine in commercial quantities. It said the laboratory was similar to others recently dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi states.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of large quantities of chemicals used as precursors in methamphetamine production. The items included 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, among other controlled substances.
A separate search of George’s family residence resulted in the recovery of eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11 kilogrammes of ephedrine.
Christopher and Monday were subsequently arraigned before Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division, on a five-count charge.
The charges relate to conspiracy, organisation, management and financing of a drug trafficking organisation, as well as unlawful possession of precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production, contrary to the NDLEA Act.
The two suspects pleaded not guilty. Following an application by the NDLEA for an accelerated hearing, the court fixed October 21, 2026, for trial.
Three other individuals were also named in the charge but remain at large.
The NDLEA said its investigation had uncovered a sophisticated transnational operation involving Nigerian and Mexican suspects and vowed to track down those still at large and bring them before the court.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers involved in the operation and said the agency would continue using intelligence-led operations and international partnerships to prevent Nigeria from becoming a base for transnational drug networks.
The development comes days after the agency intercepted more than 1.3 million pills of tramadol and other opioids, as well as about 6,000 kilogrammes of cannabis, in operations across several states and the Federal Capital Territory. The consignments had a combined street value of more than N3.4bn.
The NDLEA also intercepted 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, weighing 603.75kg and valued at N1.81bn, at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos.
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