Two men have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Enugu over their alleged involvement in a Nigerian-Mexican drug trafficking network uncovered by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
According to Channels Television, the suspects, identified as 45-year-old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, also known as Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Georginus Monday, alias George, were brought before Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello on five counts bordering on conspiracy, the operation and financing of a drug trafficking organisation and possession of chemicals allegedly intended for methamphetamine production.
The NDLEA said the case followed the discovery of a clandestine laboratory in Eziama community, Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, which investigators said was capable of producing methamphetamine on a commercial scale.
The agency said its Special Operations Unit uncovered the facility following months of intelligence gathering and surveillance. Investigators reportedly tracked Christopher’s movements across Lagos, Enugu and Anambra states between December 1 and 4, 2025, before identifying the compound where the laboratory was allegedly being operated.
According to the NDLEA, the operation was linked to Rodriguez Villanueva, whom the agency identified as a Mexican cartel member based in Mexico City. Three other individuals were also named in the charge but remain at large.
A search of the suspected laboratory led to the recovery of large quantities of precursor chemicals and equipment, 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 and hundreds of kilogrammes of other substances.
The agency said a separate search at George’s family residence yielded eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators and 11 kilogrammes of ephedrine.
The two defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, while the court fixed October 21, 2026, for trial following an application by the NDLEA for an accelerated hearing. The agency said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the suspects still at large.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), said the operation demonstrated the agency’s determination to prevent transnational drug organisations from establishing production bases in Nigeria.
He commended the officers involved and said intelligence-led operations and international collaboration would remain central to the agency’s efforts to disrupt illicit drug production and trafficking.
