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.
In a statement, the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said two kingpins, Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, 45, alias Brown, and Chukwu Georginus Monday, 60, alias George, were arrested in connection with the operation of the lab, in partnership with Rodriguez Villanueva, a Mexican drug cartel member based in Mexico City, Mexico.
Babafemi said the arrests followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance on the syndicate.
The two suspects were subsequently arraigned before Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division, on a five-count charge on 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.
He said following their pleas, Justice Segun-Bello scheduled the trial for October 21, this year, following an application by the agency for an accelerated hearing.
Also named in the charge and currently at large are Uchenna, alias Uche; Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu; and Rodriguez Villanueva, described by the agency as a notorious member of a Mexican drug cartel.
Investigations by a Special Operations Unit of the NDLEA showed what the agency described as a sophisticated transnational operation by the Nigerian-Mexican cartel.
Babafemi said surveillance by the agency between last December 1 and 4, tracked Brown’s movements between Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states, leading operatives to a compound in Obeagu where a clandestine lab that could produce methamphetamine in commercial quantities was uncovered.
The lab was fitted with improvised reactors and distillation apparatus, which the agency said mirrored similar facilities recently dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi states.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of large 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, 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.
The agency said the recovered chemicals were consistent with a high-potency, P2P-based methamphetamine manufacturing operation.
A related search of George’s family residence also led to the recovery of eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11 kilogrammes of ephedrine.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the agency remained determined to track down every fleeing suspect connected to the cartel and ensure that they faced the full weight of the law.
Marwa commended the NDLEA officers for their professionalism and doggedness in dismantling the 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.
Marwa 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.
He charged NDLEA personnel to sustain the momentum of enforcement until the country was rid of illicit drug production and trafficking.