NDLEA Dismantles Nigerian-Mexican Meth Cartel in Enugu, Arraigns Two Alleged Kingpins

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a suspected Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The operation, which followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance by the Agency’s Special Operations Unit, resulted in the arrest of two alleged kingpins identified as 45-year-old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, alias Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Georginus Monday, alias George.

NDLEA said the syndicate was linked to Rodriguez Villanueva, a Mexican national allegedly involved with a drug cartel and based in Mexico City.

Two other suspects, identified as Uchenna, alias Uche, and Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu, were also named in the charge and remain at large.

The two arrested 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, organisation, management and financing of a drug trafficking organisation, as well as unlawful possession of methamphetamine precursor chemicals.

Their trial has been adjourned to October 21, 2026.

According to the NDLEA, the clandestine laboratory was uncovered following surveillance operations conducted across Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states.

The facility was reportedly equipped with improvised reactors and distillation apparatus capable of producing methamphetamine in commercial quantities.

Among the substances recovered from the laboratory were 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, 125kg of N-phenylacetamide, 414kg of lead acetate and 769.6kg of tartaric acid.

A search of George’s residence also led to the recovery of eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11kg of ephedrine.

Commending the officers involved in the operation, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the operation as a demonstration of the Agency’s professionalism and commitment to combating illicit drug production.

Marwa directed that all suspects still at large and linked to the alleged cartel be tracked down and brought to justice.

He also assured that the Agency would sustain intelligence-driven operations and international collaboration to prevent transnational drug trafficking organisations from establishing a foothold in Nigeria.