The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an alleged Nigerian-Mexican drug trafficking network operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The agency said two alleged leaders of the syndicate, identified as 45-year-old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, popularly known as Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Georginus Monday, also known as George, were arrested after months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to the NDLEA, the suspects allegedly operated the laboratory in collaboration with Rodriguez Villanueva, whom the agency identified as a member of a Mexican drug cartel based in Mexico City. Villanueva is currently at large.
The two arrested suspects have been arraigned before Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court in Enugu on a five-count charge involving alleged conspiracy, management, financing and organisation of a drug trafficking organisation, as well as unlawful possession of precursor chemicals.
The court has fixed October 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The NDLEA said its Special Operations Unit uncovered the alleged transnational operation following surveillance conducted between December 1 and 4, 2025, which tracked Brown across Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states.
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The operation eventually led investigators to a compound in Obeagu, where they allegedly discovered a sophisticated laboratory equipped with improvised reactors and distillation equipment believed to have been designed for large-scale methamphetamine production.
The agency reported recovering substantial quantities of chemicals and equipment from the premises, while a search of George’s family residence allegedly led to the recovery of fuel tanks, commercial gas burners, dehydrators and ephedrine.
The NDLEA described the discoveries as evidence of a sophisticated drug manufacturing operation involving Nigerian and foreign nationals.
Reacting to the operation, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers involved and said the agency would continue efforts to identify and apprehend other individuals allegedly connected to the network.
The agency said investigations are ongoing, with efforts also underway to locate the suspects still at large.
The Enugu operation comes amid a series of recent NDLEA raids on suspected large-scale methamphetamine laboratories in Oyo, Ogun and Ebonyi states, involving both Nigerian and Mexican nationals.
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