A Mexican national identified as a suspected methamphetamine kingpin, Arturo Carrera Loaiza, has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) while allegedly attempting to flee Nigeria through the Lagos airport.
His arrest has also helped investigators uncover an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory operation spanning Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi states, according to the NDLEA.
The agency said it subsequently dismantled another clandestine laboratory in Ebonyi State and recovered hundreds of kilogrammes of chemicals, laboratory equipment and other materials allegedly linked to methamphetamine production.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.), disclosed the developments in Lagos on Tuesday while briefing journalists on recent operations by the agency.
Marwa said the investigation followed months of intelligence gathering into a transnational drug network operating clandestine laboratories in different parts of the country.
According to him, the investigation was initially strengthened by an operation in Ogun State on May 16, 2026, when three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerian collaborators were arrested at a forest hideout.
A further breakthrough came on June 17 when NDLEA operatives arrested another Mexican national, 56-year-old Jose Villa Ochoa, alongside four Nigerian collaborators at a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in a forested area of Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Marwa said investigations into the Oyo State operation established that Ochoa had been recruited into Nigeria by Loaiza.
International cooperation subsequently enabled investigators to obtain a photograph of Loaiza, which Ochoa positively identified as the man who recruited and brought him into Nigeria, the NDLEA boss said.
Intelligence gathered by the agency indicated that Loaiza entered Nigeria on June 10, 2026, alongside another Mexican national, Jose Ceballos Perez.
He was eventually tracked down and arrested on August 19 while allegedly attempting to leave the country through the Lagos airport.
Marwa said Loaiza denied involvement in methamphetamine production during interrogation, claiming that a Nigerian contact identified only as “Henry” had invited him to Nigeria under the guise of a restaurant business venture.
Investigators, however, allegedly recovered photographs showing Loaiza wearing a blue laboratory coat and standing beside equipment consistent with methamphetamine production.
Analysis of location metadata contained in the photographs led investigators to a property under construction at Isiata Ugoni Okposi in Ebonyi State.
“On 30th August 2026, our operatives moved on the Ebonyi State property, linked to one John Samuel Ivo Okike,” Marwa said.
Interviews with the site engineer and caretaker reportedly revealed that a suspicious temporary structure had been constructed over the septic tank area at the rear of the building. Investigators were also told of persistent strong chemical odours emanating from the premises.
Further evidence allegedly came from a CCTV memory card recovered at the property. According to Marwa, footage showed a foreign national wearing a blue laboratory coat matching Loaiza’s photograph, as well as repeated appearances by Okike.
More significantly, footage recorded at about 9pm on August 21 allegedly showed chemicals and laboratory equipment being moved from the property.
“John Samuel Ivo Okike [was] seen directing the operation alongside others assisting in the relocation,” Marwa said.
Intelligence subsequently led NDLEA operatives to an isolated house in a neighbouring community, where the relocated materials were allegedly kept under the custody of one Nwanja Obasi.
A raid on the location resulted in the recovery of substantial quantities of chemicals and equipment allegedly associated with methamphetamine production.
Among the materials recovered were 442.8kg of acetone, 37.1kg of toluene, 20kg of an acetone/bromobenzene mixture, 1.7kg of ethanol, 5.1kg of chloride salt, 31.5kg of hydrochloric acid, 200kg of P2B and 1kg of tartaric acid.
Operatives also recovered a dehydrator containing a white cloth sieve embedded with loose methamphetamine, three empty dehydrators, condensing units, a condenser head, a condenser, a fabricated reaction pot and an access pump.
Other recovered items included weighing scales, mixers, drums, gas burners, gloves and a blue laboratory coat.
Marwa said the combination of the recovered materials, CCTV footage, forensic evidence and eyewitness accounts had strengthened the case against individuals linked to the suspected network.
He warned that Nigeria would not be allowed to become a destination for international drug syndicates seeking to relocate their operations into the country’s forests and rural communities.
“Let me be unequivocal, Nigeria will not be allowed to become a haven for transnational drug cartels seeking to relocate their laboratories from other jurisdictions into our forests and rural communities,” he said.
According to him, the arrest of Loaiza and the dismantling of the Ebonyi facility, coming after the Ogun and Oyo operations, demonstrated the agency’s growing intelligence and forensic capabilities.
Marwa commended personnel of the Special Operations Unit, Strike Force, Forensics, and the Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi State Commands for their roles in the operations.
He pledged that the agency would continue following every lead until the suspected network, including its financiers and local enablers, was fully uncovered and those responsible brought to justice.
