The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an alleged Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The agency arrested and arraigned two suspected kingpins, 45-year-old Chukwu Christopher, alias Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Monday, alias George, over their alleged roles in the operation.
The NDLEA said the suspects were allegedly working with Rodriguez Villanueva, a suspected member of a Mexican drug cartel based in Mexico City, following months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
Christopher and Monday 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 precursor chemicals allegedly used to manufacture methamphetamine.
They pleaded not guilty.
The court fixed October 21, 2026, for trial following an application by the NDLEA for an accelerated hearing.
Also named in the charges but currently at large are Uchenna, alias Uche; Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu; and Villanueva.
According to the NDLEA, investigations by its Special Operations Unit uncovered a sophisticated transnational operation involving the Nigerian and Mexican suspects.
The agency said surveillance conducted between December 1 and 4, 2025, tracked Christopher across Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states before operatives traced him to a compound in Obeagu.
A search of the premises allegedly uncovered a clandestine laboratory fitted with improvised reactors and distillation equipment capable of producing methamphetamine in commercial quantities.
The NDLEA said the facility was similar to other clandestine laboratories recently dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi states.
Among the substances allegedly recovered 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.
The agency said the quantity and combination of chemicals were consistent with a P2P-based methamphetamine manufacturing operation.
A separate search of Monday’s family residence allegedly yielded eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11kg of ephedrine.
Reacting to the operation, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers involved and reaffirmed the agency’s determination to track down other suspects linked to the alleged cartel.
Marwa said the operation demonstrated that Nigeria would not be allowed to become a haven for transnational drug cartels.
He said the agency would continue to rely on intelligence-led operations and international partnerships to disrupt illicit drug production and trafficking.
He also directed NDLEA personnel to sustain enforcement operations against illicit drug production and trafficking across the country.
