The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has dismantled an alleged Nigerian-Mexican drug network operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The agency disclosed this in a statement on Thursday by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.
According to the NDLEA, two suspects—45-year-old Chukwu Christopher, also known as Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Monday, alias George—were arrested in connection with the operation of the laboratory.
The agency alleged that the suspects operated the facility in collaboration with Rodriguez Villanueva, whom it identified as an alleged member of a Mexican drug cartel based in Mexico City.
The arrests followed several months of intelligence gathering and surveillance, the NDLEA said.
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 bordering on conspiracy, organising, managing and financing a drug trafficking organisation, as well as unlawful possession of precursor chemicals used in the production of methamphetamine.
The charges were brought under relevant provisions of the NDLEA Act.
The two suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following an application by the agency for an accelerated hearing, Justice Segun-Bello adjourned the case until October 21, 2026, for trial.
The NDLEA said three other individuals named in the charges remain at large.
How the operation unfolded
According to the agency, investigations by its Special Operations Unit uncovered what it described as a sophisticated transnational operation involving Nigerian and Mexican suspects.
The NDLEA said surveillance conducted between December 1 and 4, 2025, tracked Christopher’s movements across Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states before leading operatives to a compound in Obeagu.
A search of the location, the agency said, led to the discovery of a clandestine laboratory allegedly capable of producing methamphetamine on a commercial scale.
The facility was reportedly equipped with improvised reactors and distillation apparatus and, according to the NDLEA, bore similarities to other clandestine laboratories previously dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi states.
The agency said operatives recovered large quantities of precursor chemicals from the premises, 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 NDLEA added that a separate search of Monday’s family residence led to the recovery of eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11 kilogrammes of ephedrine.
Marwa vows to track fleeing suspects
Reacting to the operation, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.), reaffirmed the agency’s determination to track down the remaining suspects allegedly linked to the operation and bring them before the courts.
Marwa commended the officers involved in the operation for what he described as professionalism and for dismantling an alleged international drug network.
He said the discovery of the Enugu laboratory demonstrated the agency’s determination to prevent Nigeria from becoming a base for transnational drug trafficking organisations.
Marwa added that the NDLEA would continue to deploy intelligence-led operations and international partnerships to identify and close loopholes allegedly exploited by drug traffickers.
He urged the agency’s personnel to sustain efforts against illicit drug production and trafficking across the country.
