NDLEA ARRESTS MEXICAN NATIONAL, UNCOVERS METH LAB IN EBONYI

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a suspected Mexican member of a transnational drug syndicate and dismantled an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory in Ebonyi State. The suspect, identified as Mexican national Arturo Carrera Loaiza, was arrested on August 19, 2026, while allegedly attempting to leave Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed the development while briefing journalists in Lagos on Tuesday. He said the arrest followed months of investigation into a drug network allegedly connected to several clandestine methamphetamine laboratories uncovered in different parts of the country, including Ogun and Oyo states.

According to Marwa, investigations indicated that Loaiza allegedly recruited 56-year-old Jose Villa Ochoa, who was earlier arrested at a methamphetamine laboratory in Oyo State. The agency said international intelligence led to the identification of Loaiza, who allegedly entered Nigeria on June 10 alongside another Mexican national, Jose Ceballos Perez. During interrogation, Loaiza reportedly claimed he came to Nigeria for a restaurant business and denied involvement in drug production.

Further investigation reportedly led NDLEA operatives to a property under construction in Isiata Ugoni Okposi, Ebonyi State. A raid on August 30 allegedly uncovered structures, chemical odours and other evidence linked to illicit drug production. CCTV footage recovered from the property was also said to have shown Loaiza and a Nigerian suspect, John Samuel Ivo Okike, allegedly moving chemicals and laboratory equipment from the premises.

The NDLEA said recovered items included acetone, toluene, hydrochloric acid, ethanol, P2B, tartaric acid, condensing units, fabricated reaction pots, weighing scales, gas burners and a laboratory coat allegedly connected to the suspects. Marwa said investigations were ongoing to identify and arrest other members, financiers and collaborators allegedly linked to the syndicate.