The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a suspected Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel allegedly operating an illegal methamphetamine laboratory in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The agency arrested two suspected leaders of the syndicate, 45-year-old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, also known as Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Georginus Monday, alias George, after months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to the NDLEA, the suspects allegedly operated the laboratory in partnership with Rodriguez Villanueva, a suspected member of a Mexican drug cartel based in Mexico City.
Christopher and Monday were later arraigned before Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court in Enugu on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, managing, organising and financing a drug trafficking organisation, as well as illegal possession of precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production.
The two suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following an application by the NDLEA for an accelerated hearing, the court fixed October 21, 2026, for trial.
Other suspects named in the charges include Uchenna, also known as Uche, Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu and Villanueva, who are currently at large.
The NDLEA said investigations by its Special Operations Unit began after surveillance conducted between December 1 and 4, 2025, traced Christopher’s movements across Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states.
The operation later led officers to a compound in Obeagu, where they discovered a clandestine laboratory allegedly capable of producing methamphetamine on a commercial scale.
The agency said the facility contained improvised reactors and distillation equipment similar to those found in laboratories previously dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi states.
During a search of the premises, operatives recovered large quantities of chemicals allegedly used in drug production. The items included 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 and other controlled substances.
Other materials recovered included 125 kilogrammes of N-phenylacetamide, 414 kilogrammes of lead acetate and 769.6 kilogrammes of tartaric acid.
The NDLEA said the recovered materials were consistent with a high-potency P2P-based methamphetamine production process.
A 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.
Reacting to the development, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd.), said the agency would continue efforts to apprehend all individuals linked to the cartel, including those still at large.
Marwa commended the officers involved in the operation, saying the dismantling of the laboratory showed the agency’s continued efforts to prevent Nigeria from becoming a base for international drug trafficking networks.
He added that the NDLEA would sustain intelligence-led operations and international cooperation to disrupt the activities of local and foreign drug traffickers.
The NDLEA chairman also directed personnel to maintain enforcement operations against illegal drug production and trafficking across the country.