Nigeria arrests two in Mexican-linked meth lab case

Nigeria’s anti-drug agency said Thursday that it had arrested two men accused of operating a methamphetamine laboratory linked to a Mexican cartel member.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, 45, and Chukwu Georginus Monday, 60, operated the lab in partnership with Rodriguez Villanueva, whom the agency described as a “notorious Mexican drug cartel member”.

NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi said large quantities of precursor chemicals were found at the makeshift lab in Obeagu town in Awgu district of southeastern Enugu State.

The two arrested men have appeared in court, and their trial is due to continue on October 21. Villanueva, who has left Nigeria, and two other Nigerians who remain at large were also charged in court.

Babafemi told AFP that at least five Mexicans have been arrested in Nigeria since May in connection with meth lab operations.

The agency said the case was Nigeria’s fourth bust of large-scale production labs since May, all linked to Mexicans. AFP reported in an investigation published Thursday that Mexican cartels are setting up operations in parts of Africa, including South Africa and Nigeria, to supply demand in Europe, Southeast Asia and Oceania.

West Africa has emerged in recent years as a transit point for drugs from South America to Europe, mostly cocaine.