By Omoyeni Ojeifo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a significant success in combating transnational organized crime following the dismantling of a secret methamphetamine laboratory operated by a Nigerian-Mexican syndicate in Enugu State.
The laboratory was uncovered in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area, after several months of intelligence and surveillance on the syndicate, according to details emailed to PersecondNews by NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Thursday.
Two kingpins – 45-year-old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, alias Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Georginus Monday, alias George – were arrested in connection with the operation of the methamphetamine laboratory.
The two allegedly operated the laboratory in partnership with Rodriguez Villanueva, a notorious member of a Mexican drug cartel based in Mexico City, Mexico.
Investigations by a Special Operations Unit, SOU, of the NDLEA revealed a sophisticated transnational operation involving the Nigerian-Mexican cartel.
Surveillance activities conducted by NDLEA between December 1 and 4, 2025, tracked Brown’s movements between Lagos, Enugu and Anambra States before ultimately leading operatives to a compound in Obeagu.
The operation led to the discovery of a clandestine laboratory capable of producing methamphetamine in commercial quantities, fitted with improvised reactors and distillation apparatus.
The laboratory mirrored similar facilities recently dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi States, underscoring the scale of the illicit production network.
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 and 300 litres of hydrochloric acid.
Operatives also recovered 290 litres each of toluene and acetone, 400 litres of liquid sodium hydroxide, 125 kilograms of N-phenylacetamide and 414 kilograms of lead acetate.
Another 769.6 kilograms of tartaric acid, among other controlled substances, were recovered, with the haul consistent with a high-potency, P2P-based methamphetamine manufacturing operation.
A related search of George’s family residence yielded eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11 kilograms of ephedrine.
The items recovered from the residence further highlighted the scale of the cartel’s operations and its capacity for illicit drug production.
They were subsequently arraigned before Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court, Enugu, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, the organisation, management and financing of a Drug Trafficking Organization, and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production, contrary to the NDLEA Act.
After they entered their pleas, Justice Segun-Bello scheduled their trial for October 21, 2026, 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, the notorious Mexican drug cartel member.
Reacting to the breakthrough, NDLEA Chairman/CEO, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, pledged that the Agency would pursue every fleeing suspect linked to the cartel and ensure they face the full weight of the law.
Marwa lauded all NDLEA officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and doggedness in cracking yet another international drug syndicate.
He described the discovery of the Enugu laboratory as evidence of the Agency’s determination to prevent Nigeria from becoming a base for transnational drug cartels.
Marwa further affirmed that NDLEA’s intelligence-led operations, backed by international cooperation, would continue to disrupt the networks and loopholes being exploited by local and foreign drug barons.
He urged the agency’s personnel to sustain the enforcement drive until illicit drug production and trafficking are eliminated from the country.