…NDLEA Accuses Three Mexicans, Seven Nigerians Of Running Illicit Drug Factory
…Agency Warns International Cartels Are Shifting Operations Into South-West Forests
Daud Olatunji
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Wednesday conducted an inspection of an alleged clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State as the trial of three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians accused of operating a multi-billion-naira drug manufacturing syndicate continued.
The inspection, led by Justice Musa Kakaki, took place at the sprawling facility located in Iloti community within the Mowe Forest axis of Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency alleged that the suspects manufactured and stored illicit drugs for export.
The 10 defendants are facing an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, operation and financing of a drug trafficking organisation, unlawful possession of precursor chemicals, production of methamphetamine and use of property for manufacturing illicit drugs.
The defendants are Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix, Jesus López Valles, Anochili Innocent, Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike and Nwobum Emeka Christopher.
The NDLEA alleged that the laboratory produced 2,419.48 kilogrammes of methamphetamine valued at over N480bn, describing it as one of the largest illicit drug manufacturing facilities uncovered in Nigeria.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution called its first witness, Ajilema Anebi, an NDLEA expert on clandestine laboratories, to continue his testimony at the crime scene.
Anebi told the court that chemicals and sophisticated equipment recovered from the facility were used in producing and storing methamphetamine allegedly meant for export outside Nigeria.
He said, “The identification of the substances was based on analysis carried out by myself and members of my team.”
The witness explained that the list of chemicals and equipment recovered had already been tendered before the court as exhibits.
However, defence counsel, Benson Ndakara, insisted that the witness should physically identify the recovered items at the laboratory and explain their specific uses instead of merely referring to documents already before the court.
The request was opposed by the head of the NDLEA prosecution team, Adekunle Adebajo, who argued that the witness had sufficiently identified the exhibits during earlier proceedings.
Justice Kakaki, however, granted the defence’s request.
The judge, accompanied by lawyers and the witness, subsequently toured different sections of the facility as Anebi identified various chemicals, industrial machines, storage containers and bags allegedly used in the drug production process.
The witness also demonstrated the alleged roles of substances such as alcohol and hydrochloric acid in the manufacturing process.
Following the inspection, the court adjourned further hearing until Friday.
Speaking with journalists after the inspection, NDLEA prosecutor Adebajo said the visit became necessary to enable the court to examine exhibits in their original location.
According to him, “The court is here to clarify the application. So whatever we are going to do is concerning the specific defence of what the court will rule on Friday.”
He disclosed that while some exhibits had already been admitted, others could not be tendered because of the condition of the environment.
Adebajo said, “Some of the exhibits have been admitted, not all, because the environment is not too conducive. So the court had to adjourn to Friday.”
He added, “On Friday, some of the exhibits will be admitted. We made an attempt to tender them today, but due to the environment, we were not able to do that.”
Also speaking after the inspection, NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, described the court’s visit as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign.
He warned that international drug syndicates were increasingly relocating their operations from urban centres into remote forests to evade security agencies.
Babafemi said, “It is indeed a landmark for the agency in our drug control efforts because of what was recovered here.”
According to him, “It helps to curb a lot of public health issues and security challenges, not only in Nigeria but also in the sub-region and other jurisdictions outside the country, because of the potency of the drugs produced at an industrial scale in this facility.”
The NDLEA spokesman said intelligence available to the agency showed that foreign drug cartels were making deliberate efforts to establish large-scale drug manufacturing hubs in Nigeria, particularly in the South-West.
He stated, “The Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, General Buba Marwa, had earlier expressed serious concern that drug syndicates, especially international cartels, appeared to be attempting to establish major production hubs within the South-Western region of the country.”
Babafemi added, “They are not doing this within towns but are going into forests to carry out these activities. That, again, is a challenge for the agency.”
He also commended the NDLEA prosecution team for what he described as its diligent handling of the high-profile case.
According to the agency, the suspects were arrested during coordinated operations in May at different locations, including the alleged laboratory in Ogun State.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to establish and operate the facility and transported precursor chemicals from Lagos to Ogun for the manufacture of methamphetamine intended for international distribution.
Following their arraignment, Justice Kakaki ordered that all 10 defendants be remanded at the Lagos Correctional Centre pending the determination of the case. The trial resumes on Friday.
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