NDLEA Ebonyi Meth Lab: CCTV, Photo Metadata Expose Suspected Transnational Drug Network
NDLEA Ebonyi Meth Lab: CCTV, Photo Metadata Expose Suspected Transnational Drug Network
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says forensic analysis of photographs and CCTV footage helped investigators uncover a suspected industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory in Ebonyi State following the arrest of a Mexican national, Arturo Carrera Loaiza.
Loaiza was arrested on August 19, 2026, while allegedly attempting to leave Nigeria through the Lagos airport, after months of investigation into a suspected transnational drug network linked to clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in different parts of the country.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed details of the investigation at a media briefing in Lagos. He was represented by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
According to the agency, investigators had earlier arrested three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerian collaborators at a forest hideout in Ogun State on May 16.
The investigation subsequently extended to Oyo State, where NDLEA operatives on June 17 raided another suspected methamphetamine laboratory hidden in a forested area of Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area.
A 56-year-old Mexican national, Jose Villa Ochoa, described by the agency as a methamphetamine expert, was arrested there alongside four Nigerian suspects.
NDLEA alleged that its investigation established a link between Ochoa and Loaiza, with Ochoa identifying Loaiza as the person who recruited and facilitated his movement into Nigeria.
Investigators working with international partners subsequently tracked Loaiza, who the agency said entered Nigeria on June 10 alongside another Mexican national, Jose Ceballos Perez.
Following his arrest, Loaiza reportedly denied involvement in methamphetamine production, telling investigators that a Nigerian contact identified only as “Henry” had invited him into the country for a restaurant business venture.
However, NDLEA said investigators recovered photographs allegedly showing Loaiza wearing a blue laboratory coat and standing around equipment consistent with methamphetamine production.
The agency said analysis of location metadata embedded in the photographs provided investigators with a major lead, directing them to a property under construction at Isiata Ugoni Okposi in Ebonyi State.
Operatives moved into the property on August 30.
According to NDLEA, interviews conducted at the site revealed that a temporary structure had been erected around the septic tank area behind the building, while witnesses reported persistent strong chemical odours from the premises.
Investigators also recovered a CCTV memory card from the property.
Forensic examination of the footage allegedly showed a foreign national wearing a blue laboratory coat matching images earlier recovered by investigators.
NDLEA said the footage also showed John Samuel Ivo Okike, who was linked to the property, appearing repeatedly at the premises.
The agency said footage recorded at about 9pm on August 21 captured chemicals and laboratory equipment being moved from the location.
Further intelligence reportedly led operatives to an isolated house in a neighbouring community, where chemicals and laboratory equipment suspected to have been relocated from the original site were recovered.
Among the materials listed by NDLEA were a dehydrator containing a white-cloth sieve with loose methamphetamine, three empty dehydrators, 442.8kg of acetone, 37.1kg of toluene, 31.5kg of hydrochloric acid, 200kg of P2B and other chemicals.
Investigators also recovered condensing units, pumps, weighing scales, mixers, drums, gas burners, gloves and a blue laboratory coat.
Marwa said the agency would continue investigating the suspected network, including its alleged financiers and local collaborators.
He also urged residents of rural and forest communities to report suspicious structures, unusual chemical odours and other activities that could indicate clandestine drug production.
NDLEA said suspects connected with the investigation would face prosecution in Nigeria, while charges involving suspects previously arrested over the Oyo laboratory would be consolidated with the latest case where appropriate.
