NDLEA Busts Nigerian-Mexican Meth Cartel, Arraigns Alleged Kingpins
By Chibuzo Obidike |Ichie Times
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has dismantled an alleged Nigerian Mexican drug cartel operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The operation followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance by the agency, leading to the arrest of two alleged kingpins, 45 year old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, also known as Brown, and 60 year old Chukwu Georginus Monday, also known as George.
According to NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the suspects allegedly operated the laboratory in partnership with Rodriguez Villanueva, described by the agency as a member of a Mexican drug cartel based in Mexico City.
The two suspects have been arraigned before the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division, on a five count charge bordering on conspiracy, organisation, management and financing of a drug trafficking organisation and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production.
After they pleaded to the charges, Justice Segun Bello fixed October 21 for trial following an application by the NDLEA for an accelerated hearing.
Three other persons named in the charge, Uchenna, also known as Uche, Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu and Rodriguez Villanueva, are currently at large, according to the agency.
A search of the clandestine laboratory reportedly uncovered large quantities of chemicals associated with methamphetamine production, 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 kilograms of N phenylacetamide, 414 kilograms of lead acetate and 769.6 kilograms of tartaric acid.
The NDLEA said a related search at George’s family residence also led to the recovery of eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11 kilograms of ephedrine.
The agency said the discoveries point to the scale of the alleged operation, as investigations continue into the wider network and other persons who may be connected to the clandestine laboratory.
