The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an alleged Nigerian-Mexican drug syndicate operating an illegal methamphetamine laboratory in Enugu State and arraigned two suspected leaders before the Federal High Court.
In a statement Thursday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said the suspects, 45-year-old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, also known as Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Georginus Monday, also known as George, were arrested following months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
The agency alleged that the suspects operated the laboratory in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area, in partnership with Rodriguez Villanueva, an alleged Mexican drug cartel member based in Mexico City.
The two suspects were arraigned before Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court in Enugu on five counts relating to conspiracy, organising, managing and financing a drug trafficking organisation, and unlawful possession of chemicals used in methamphetamine production.
The court scheduled their trial for Oct. 21, 2026, following the NDLEA's application for an accelerated hearing.
Three other suspects — Uchenna, also known as Uche; Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu; and Villanueva — were also named in the charges but remain at large.
According to the agency, surveillance conducted between Dec. 1 and 4, 2025, tracked Christopher's movements across Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states before investigators uncovered the laboratory in Obeagu.
The facility was equipped with improvised reactors and distillation equipment allegedly capable of producing commercial quantities of methamphetamine.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of large quantities of chemicals, including 690 litres of methylamine, 1,000 litres of isopropyl alcohol, 300 litres of hydrochloric acid and hundreds of kilograms of other substances used in drug production.
NDLEA operatives also searched Monday's family residence, where they reportedly recovered eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11 kilograms of ephedrine.
Reacting to the operation, NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the officers involved and pledged to pursue the remaining suspects.
Marwa said the agency would continue its intelligence-led operations and international partnerships to prevent transnational drug syndicates from operating in Nigeria.
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