…NDLEA Accuses Three Mexicans, Seven Nigerians Of Running Illicit Drug Factory
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Daud Olatunji
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Wednesday conducted an inspection of an alleged clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State as the trial of three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians accused of operating a multi-billion-naira drug manufacturing syndicate continued.
The inspection, led by Justice Musa Kakaki, took place at the sprawling facility located in Iloti community within the Mowe Forest axis of Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency alleged that the suspects manufactured and stored illicit drugs for export.
The 10 defendants are facing an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, operation and financing of a drug trafficking organisation, unlawful possession of precursor chemicals, production of methamphetamine and use of property for manufacturing illicit drugs.
The defendants are Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix, Jesus López Valles, Anochili Innocent, Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike and Nwobum Emeka Christopher.
The NDLEA alleged that the laboratory produced 2,419.48 kilogrammes of methamphetamine valued at over N480bn, describing it as one of the largest illicit drug manufacturing facilities uncovered in Nigeria.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution called its first witness, Ajilema Anebi, an NDLEA expert on clandestine laboratories, to continue his testimony at the crime scene.
Anebi told the court that chemicals and sophisticated equipment recovered from the facility were used in producing and storing methamphetamine allegedly meant for export outside Nigeria.
He said, “The identification of the substances was based on analysis carried out by myself and members of my team.”
The witness explained that the list of chemicals and equipment recovered had already been tendered before the court as exhibits.
However, defence counsel, Benson Ndakara, insisted that the witness should physically identify the recovered items at the laboratory and explain their specific uses instead of merely referring to documents already before the court.
The request was opposed by the head of the NDLEA prosecution team, Adekunle Adebajo, who argued that the witness had sufficiently identified the exhibits during earlier proceedings.
Justice Kakaki, however, granted the defence’s request.
The judge, accompanied by lawyers and the witness, subsequently toured different sections of the facility as Anebi identified various chemicals, industrial machines, storage containers and bags allegedly used in the drug production process.
The witness also demonstrated the alleged roles of substances such as alcohol and hydrochloric acid in the manufacturing process.
Following the inspection, the court adjourned further hearing until Friday.
Speaking with journalists after the inspection, NDLEA prosecutor Adebajo said the visit became necessary to enable the court to examine exhibits in their original location.
According to him, “The court is here to clarify the application. So whatever we are going to do is concerning the specific defence of what the court will rule on Friday.”
