- Odibo Victory
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has on Wednesday, raided a methamphetamine laboratory in Oyo State and arrested a Mexican national alongside four Nigerians.
The laboratory is operated by a Nigerian-Mexican cartel deep within the forest of Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area, Oyo State.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism, dedication, and bravery.
Marwa, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the breakthrough came barely four weeks after the NDLEA dismantled another large methamphetamine laboratory in a forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
According to him, the development suggests an attempt by drug cartels to turn the South-West region into a hub for synthetic drug production.
“On June 17, tactical operatives of the NDLEA stormed a highly fortified, industrial-scale clandestine methamphetamine laboratory operating deep within the forest of Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area, Oyo State.
“This was not a rudimentary setup; it was a sophisticated, highly organized transnational syndicate.
“During the raid, our operatives successfully arrested five key members of the cartel on-site.
“They include a 56-year-old Mexican Methamphetamine expert, Jose Villa Ochoa, brought in specifically to provide the technical expertise for large-scale synthesis.
“Four Nigerian collaborators providing logistical support, cover, and local operations. They are: Maxwell Uche Nevoh, 30; Olatunji Yusuf, 37; Bankole Akeem Owolabi, 45; and Ganiu Monsiu, 43,” he said.
Marwa noted that the arrest of a foreign drug expert highlighted the transnational nature of the threat, while also demonstrating the agency’s intelligence and enforcement capabilities.
“What they uncovered is a massive, factory-level production line of poison.The laboratory was fully stocked with a frightening array of precursor chemicals, industrial catalysts, and heavy-duty processing equipment.
“Chemicals and Materials recovered include: Phenyl-II-propanone (P2P), which is the the main, highly controlled precursor required for methamphetamine synthesis; 1800-litre drums containing Phenylacetic acid (the primary precursor used to synthesize P2P).
“Others are 180L drums containing a staggering 300 litres of whitish crystalline substance; Four 180L drums containing dark liquid undergoing synthesis.
“Others are: 101 bags (25kg each) of Caustic Soda; 17 containers (25L each) of Sulphuric Acid; 19.5 containers (25kg each) of Tartaric Acid; 5 containers of Reniso Ultracool 68 (three 50L and two 25L capacity.
“Others are 25 bottles (500ml each) of 80 per cent Thioglycolic Acid; two containers (25L each) of Ethyl Phenylacetate, and 25 cartons of aluminum foil among others”he said.
Industrial equipment recovered from the site included a reactor pot, two mounted distillation units, three fabricated mixers and condensers, and two vegetable dehydrator machines used for drying methamphetamine crystals.
Marwa said field tests conducted by forensic experts confirmed that samples of the recovered crystals tested positive for methamphetamine, while another substance tested positive for Phenylacetic Acid.
He added that all exhibits had been safely evacuated, documented, and preserved for presentation in court.
“This is yet another multibillion-naira haul of illicit substances and production equipment that could have pushed millions of doses of synthetic drugs into our communities and beyond, but for the vigilance of our officers,” he said.
Marwa said the proximity of the Oyo laboratory to the recently discovered Ogun facility pointed to a coordinated effort by drug traffickers to establish a synthetic drug manufacturing network in the South-West.
He warned that hiding in remote forests would not shield criminal networks from law enforcement.
“Let the message go out clearly to all drug cartels, domestic and international: Nigeria is not, and will never be, a safe haven for your illicit trade.
“We will find you in the cities, we will track you into the forests, and we will dismantle your infrastructure of death.
“They thought hiding in dense forests would shield them from the long arm of the law. They were wrong,” he said.
The NDLEA chairman also praised officers of the Oyo State Command for their role in the operation and thanked members of the public for providing credible information to support the agency’s efforts.
“To the Nigerian public, we say thank you for your continued trust and credible information. Together, we are securing the future of our nation”, he added.