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…The NDLEA accuses three Mexicans and seven Nigerians of running an illicit drug factory
…The Agency warns that international cartels are moving operations into the forests of the Southwest
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 continued of three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians accused of running a multi-billion dollar drug production syndicate.
The inspection, led by Justice Musa Kakaki, took place at the sprawling facility located in Iloti community within the Mowe forest axis in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said the suspects were manufacturing and storing illicit drugs for export.
The 10 defendants face 11 charges bordering on conspiracy, operating and financing a drug trafficking organization, illegal possession of chemical precursors, manufacturing methamphetamine and using property to manufacture 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 said the laboratory produced 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine worth over N480 billion, describing it as one of the largest illicit drug manufacturing facilities discovered 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 to produce and store methamphetamine allegedly intended for export outside Nigeria.
He said: “The identification of the substances was based on the analysis carried out by me and members of my team.”
The witness explained that the list of recovered chemicals and equipment had already been submitted to the court as exhibits.
However, the defense lawyer, Benson Ndakara, insisted that the witness physically identify the objects recovered in the laboratory and explain their specific uses instead of simply referring to documents already present in 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 previous proceedings.
Judge Kakaki, however, granted the defense’s request.
The judge, accompanied by lawyers and the witness, subsequently visited different sections of the facility as Anebi identified various chemicals, industrial machinery, storage containers and bags allegedly used in the drug manufacturing process.
The witness also demonstrated the alleged role of substances such as alcohol and hydrochloric acid in the manufacturing process.
After the inspection, the court postponed the next hearing until Friday.
Speaking to journalists after the inspection, NDLEA Prosecutor Adebajo said the visit became necessary to allow the court to examine the exhibits in their original location.
According to him, “The court is here to clarify the request. So whatever we do will be about the specific defense of what the court will decide on Friday.”
He revealed that while some exhibits had already been admitted, others could not be procured due to the conditions of the environment.
Adebajo said: “Some exhibits were admitted, not all, because the environment is not too favorable. So the court had to adjourn until Friday.”
He added: “On Friday, a part of the exhibits will be admitted. We tried to present them today, but due to the environment we could not do so.”
Also speaking after the inspection, NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, described the court’s visit as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign.
He warned that international drug syndicates are increasingly relocating their operations from urban centers to remote forests to evade security agencies.
Babafemi said: “It is truly a milestone for the agency in our drug control efforts because of what has been recovered here.”
According to him, “It helps curb many public health issues and safety challenges, not only in Nigeria but also in the sub-region and other jurisdictions outside the country, thanks to the potency of drugs produced on an industrial scale in this facility.”
The NDLEA spokesperson said information available to the agency shows that foreign drug cartels are making deliberate efforts to set up large-scale drug manufacturing centers in Nigeria, particularly in the south-west.
He said: “The President and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, General Buba Marwa, had earlier expressed serious concern that drug syndicates, particularly international cartels, appeared to be attempting to establish major production centers in the south-western region of the country.”
Babafemi added: “They don’t do this inside the cities, but they go to the forests to carry out these activities. This is also 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 several locations, including the alleged laboratory in Ogun state.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to set up and operate the plant and transported chemical precursors from Lagos to Ogun for the production of methamphetamine for international distribution.
Following the arraignment, Justice Kakaki ordered that all 10 defendants be detained at the Lagos Correctional Center pending the disposition of the case. The trial will resume on Friday.
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