A Federal High Court in Lagos has postponed its ruling on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) application seeking permission to destroy a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory uncovered in a remote forest in Ogun State.

Justice Musa Kakaki adjourned the matter until Friday, July 24, after conducting a special court session at the alleged crime scene in Mowe village, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where the illicit laboratory was discovered.

The NDLEA is asking the court to allow it to dismantle and destroy the industrial-scale laboratory, which investigators say was used to manufacture 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine with an estimated international street value of more than ₦480 billion (about $362 million).

Ten Defendants Face Drug Charges

The case involves 10 defendants, comprising three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians, who were arraigned by the NDLEA on July 10 on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, the establishment of a clandestine drug laboratory, manufacturing methamphetamine, and trafficking precursor chemicals.

The defendants include alleged drug kingpin Anochili Innocent Nwankwo, alongside Mexican nationals Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix, and Jesus López Valles, as well as other Nigerian suspects.

All 10 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and remain in custody pending the determination of the case.

Court Inspects Alleged Drug Factory

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Justice Kakaki personally inspected the alleged methamphetamine production facility before hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence.

The prosecution presented its first witness, an NDLEA clandestine laboratory expert, who explained the roles of chemicals and equipment allegedly recovered from the site in the production of methamphetamine. The witness also tendered several exhibits, although defence lawyers challenged parts of the evidence and objected to the admissibility of some exhibits.

The judge subsequently reserved his ruling on the NDLEA’s application to destroy the laboratory until Friday.

NDLEA Warns International Drug Cartels

The NDLEA has described the operation as one of the largest dismantling of an industrial-scale methamphetamine production facility in Nigeria’s history, warning that international drug syndicates are increasingly attempting to use Nigeria as a manufacturing base for narcotics.

NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) said the arrest of three Mexican nationals alongside Nigerian collaborators demonstrates the growing involvement of transnational criminal networks in the country’s illicit drug trade.

According to the agency, the discovery followed coordinated operations carried out between May 16 and May 18 in Ogun and Lagos states, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the seizure of the sophisticated laboratory hidden deep inside the forest.

The court’s decision on Friday is expected to determine whether the NDLEA can immediately destroy the sprawling facility while the criminal trial against the defendants continues.

Follow us on FACEBOOK