The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a suspected Mexican drug kingpin and dismantled an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory in Ebonyi State.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), disclosed the development on Tuesday, saying the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle transnational drug networks seeking to establish operations in Nigeria.
Marwa, represented by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the latest breakthrough followed months of investigations into a wider network linked to clandestine drug laboratories uncovered in Ogun and Oyo states.
According to the agency, three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerian collaborators were arrested at a forest hideout in Ogun State on May 16, 2026, while another Mexican national and four Nigerians were apprehended at a methamphetamine laboratory in Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, on June 17.
Investigations into the Oyo operation reportedly led the Special Operations Unit to a 56-year-old Mexican methamphetamine expert, who allegedly identified Arturo Carrera Loaiza as the person who recruited him and facilitated his movement to Nigeria.
NDLEA said Loaiza entered Nigeria on June 10 and was arrested on August 19 while allegedly attempting to leave the country through the Lagos airport.
The agency said Loaiza denied knowledge of methamphetamine production, but investigators recovered photographs showing him wearing a blue laboratory coat and standing beside equipment believed to be associated with drug production.
Analysis of the photographs reportedly led investigators to a property under construction at Isiata Ugoni Okposi, Ebonyi State, linked to John Samuel Ivo Okike.
During a search of the property on August 30, investigators reportedly discovered evidence of suspicious activities, including a temporary structure around the septic tank area and strong chemical odours.
NDLEA said a CCTV memory card recovered from the property provided further evidence, showing a foreign national wearing a blue laboratory coat, allegedly matching Loaiza, as well as Okike directing the movement of chemicals and laboratory equipment from the premises on August 21.
Following further intelligence, the relocated materials were traced to an isolated house in a neighbouring community under the custody of Nwanja Obasi.
The agency said its operatives recovered large quantities of chemicals and equipment linked to methamphetamine production, including 442.8kg of acetone, 37.1kg of toluene, 31.5kg of hydrochloric acid, 200kg of P2B and other precursor chemicals.
Other items recovered included dehydrators, a fabricated reaction pot, condensers, pumps, weighing scales, mixers, drums, gas burners and a blue laboratory coat allegedly matching the one seen in the CCTV footage.
Marwa warned that Nigeria would not be allowed to become a base for transnational drug cartels seeking to relocate their operations into the country’s forests and rural communities.
He commended personnel of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit, Strike Force, Forensics and the Oyo, Ogun and Ebonyi State Commands for their roles in the operations.
The NDLEA boss vowed that the agency would continue investigating the network until its financiers and local collaborators were brought to justice.
The agency also urged residents, particularly those in rural and forested communities, to report suspicious activities, unusual chemical odours and unfamiliar structures through its toll-free line or official email.
