The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA has charged three Mexicans and seven Nigerians before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over the alleged operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Mowe Forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
They were charged before the court presided over by Justice Musa Kakaki on an 11-count criminal charge of conspiracy, manufacturing, and possessing 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, a prohibited drug.
The defendants are: Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix, Jesus Lopez Valles (Mexicans) and Anochili Innocent Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike and Emeka Christopher Nwobum (Nigerians)
They are charge before the court in a charge marked FHC/CR/430/2026.
Meanwhile, the defendants’ scheduled arraignment before the court was scuttled, as they informed the court that they were served with the charge sheet on the day of the arraignment.
They also told the court that they are not comfortable with the interpreter engaged by the prosecution.
Owing to the above, the court adjourned the matter to July 10, for defendants’ arraignment.
In the charge, NDLEA alleged that the defendants manufactured and possessed 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, described as a psychotropic substance similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD.
They further alleged that the defendants managed, organized and financed a drug trafficking organisation involved in the processing and manufacture of the illicit substance.
They were also accused the defendants of transporting precursor chemicals, including toluene, Phenyl-2-Propane (P2P), phenyl acetic acid, acetone and hydrochloric acid, from Lagos to the alleged laboratory in Ogun State using a Toyota Tacoma, a Mercedes-Benz with registration number APP 942 YL, and a Toyota Highlander with registration number GWA 662 DJ.
They were also accused of unlawfully possessing large quantities of precursor chemicals allegedly intended for methamphetamine production, including 358 kilograms of toluene, 1,834 kilograms of hydrochloric acid and 22.5 kilograms of acetone, as well as unspecified quantities of P2P and phenyl acetic acid.
The first defendant, Anochili Innocent, was alleged to have owned and managed the fenced property in Mowe Forest where the laboratory was located and knowingly allowed it to be used for the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine.
The offences according to the prosecutor, Barrister Buhari S. Abdullahi, are contrary to 14(b), 20 (1)(g), 20 (1)(e), 12, 11(a) and 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and punishable under sections 20 (2)(a) of the same Acts.
