The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory allegedly operated by a Nigerian-Mexican drug network 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, saying two suspects were arrested in connection with the operation.
The suspects were identified as 45-year-old Chukwu Christopher, alias Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Monday, alias George.
According to the NDLEA, the suspects allegedly operated the laboratory in partnership with Rodriguez Villanueva, whom the agency identified as a Mexican drug cartel member based in Mexico City.
The agency said the arrests followed several months of intelligence gathering and surveillance by its Special Operations Unit.
The two suspects were 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 methamphetamine production.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following an application by the NDLEA for an accelerated hearing, Justice Segun-Bello adjourned the matter until October 21, 2026, for trial.
The agency said three other individuals were named in the charge but remain at large.
It added that surveillance conducted between December 1 and 4, 2025, tracked Brown’s movements across Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states before operatives were led to a compound in Obeagu.
The NDLEA said operatives discovered a clandestine laboratory capable of producing methamphetamine in commercial quantities, equipped with improvised reactors and distillation apparatus.
A search of the facility reportedly 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 laboratory was similar to others recently dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi states.
A related search of George’s family residence also resulted in the recovery of eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11 kilogrammes of ephedrine, according to the NDLEA.
Reacting to the operation, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.), commended the officers involved and reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to track down the remaining suspects allegedly connected to the operation.
Marwa said the operation demonstrated the agency’s determination to prevent Nigeria from becoming a base for transnational drug networks.
He also said the NDLEA would continue to use intelligence-driven operations and international partnerships to target loopholes allegedly exploited by drug traffickers, while urging its personnel to sustain efforts against illicit drug production and trafficking.