NDLEA ARRAIGNS TWO MEXICANS, FOUR NIGERIANS OVER ILLEGAL DRUG FACTORY

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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim

Two Mexican nationals and four Nigerians have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, over an alleged plot to establish an illegal methamphetamine production facility in the state.

The six defendants appeared before Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha following their alleged involvement in a clandestine drug laboratory uncovered in a forested area of Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area.

The Nigerian suspects were identified as Maxwell Uche Nevoh, 30; Olatunji Yusuf, 37; Bankole Akeem Owolabi, 45; and Ganiu Monsiu, 43.

They were arrested alongside a 56-year-old Mexican national, Jose Villa Ochoa, during an operation conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on June 17, 2026.

The second Mexican suspect, 40-year-old Carrera Loaiza Arturo, was arrested on August 19 at the Lagos airport while allegedly attempting to leave the country.

The NDLEA announced the development in a statement issued on Friday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

According to the agency, the defendants are facing four charges bordering on conspiracy to establish and operate a drug trafficking network and the establishment of an illegal facility for manufacturing methamphetamine.

The charges are linked to alleged activities carried out at various locations in Lagos and Oyo states between December 2025 and June 2026.

The defendants were also accused of transporting and distributing chemical substances intended for the production of the illicit drug, contrary to Section 20(1)(f) of the NDLEA Act and punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the same legislation.

All six defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read to them in languages they understood.

Following their pleas, Justice Maha ordered that they be remanded at the Correctional Centre in Ibadan pending further proceedings.

The court subsequently fixed January 26 to 29, 2027, for the commencement of their trial.