The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has filed an 11-count criminal charge against three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians over the alleged operation of a covert methamphetamine laboratory concealed within a forest in Mowe, Ijebu East local government area of Ogun State.
The defendants were dragged before the Federal High Court in Lagos under case No. FHC/CR/430/2026, where they faced accusations of conspiring to produce and possess 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, a banned psychotropic substance.
The foreigners, who were brought before Justice Musa Kakaki for arraignment on Thursday, were Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix and Jesus Lopez Valles.
Their suspected Nigerian accomplices were Anochili Innocent, Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, and Emeka Christopher Nwobum.
However, their planned arraignment was stalled after the defendants informed the court that they had only received the charge sheet on the day of the hearing.
They also raised objections to the interpreter engaged by the prosecution, expressing discomfort with the interpretation.
Based on their objections, Justice Kakaki adjourned the case to July 10 for their arraignment.
The NDLEA, in the charge, accused the defendants of allegedly manufacturing and possessing 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, described as a psychotropic substance with effects akin to cocaine, heroin, and LSD.
The prosecution led by Buhari Abdullahi also claimed that the accused managed, organised, and financed a drug trafficking syndicate involved in the processing and manufacturing of the illicit drug.
Abdullahi also claimed that the defendants transported precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production, including toluene, Phenyl-2-Propanone (P2P), phenylacetic acid, acetone, and hydrochloric acid, from Lagos to the forest 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.
The prosecution further accused the defendants of unlawfully possessing significant quantities of precursor chemicals intended for drug manufacturing, including 358 kilograms of toluene, 1,834 kilograms of hydrochloric acid, 22.5 kilograms of acetone, and unspecified amounts of P2P and phenylacetic acid.
He also alleged that the first defendant, Anochili Innocent, owned and operated the fenced property in Mowe Forest where the clandestine laboratory was located, knowing it was used for illegal methamphetamine production.
Abdullahi maintained that the alleged offences breached Sections 11(a), 12, 14(b), 19, 20(1)(e), and 20(1)(g) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and are punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the Act.
