Court rule on NDLEA application to destroy seized methamphetamine laboratory Friday

A Federal High Court in Lagos is set to decide the fate of a clandestine methamphetamine production laboratory discovered in a remote forest in Ogun State. Justice Musa Kakaki will rule on Friday on an application by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to destroy the facility.

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Justice Musa Kakaki of a Federal High Court in Lagos will on Friday, rule on an application by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, seeking leave to destroy a clandestine Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine production laboratory uncovered in a remote forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The laboratory, uncovered in Mowe village, Ijebu East Local Government Area, is alleged to have produced 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an estimated value exceeding N480 billion. The NDLEA had previously arraigned three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians on charges related to the establishment and operation of this lab.

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The judge fixed the date after a special court sitting held inside the illicit laboratory at Mowe village, where operatives discovered facilities allegedly used to produce 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at over N480 billion.

The prosecution claims the defendants were involved in manufacturing and possessing the substantial quantity of methamphetamine, a substance classified alongside cocaine and heroin. They are also accused of managing a drug trafficking network and transporting precursor chemicals from Lagos to the lab using various vehicles. The NDLEA detailed the unlawful possession of large quantities of chemicals like toluene, phenyl-2-propanone, and hydrochloric acid, intended for methamphetamine production.

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According to the anti-narcotics agency, the defendants allegedly manufactured and possessed 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, a psychotropic substance classified alongside cocaine, heroin and LSD.

During court proceedings, the NDLEA's first witness, an expert named Mr. Ajilema Anebi, testified and presented exhibits. He explained that the recovered substances were used for producing and storing methamphetamine for export. Scientific analysis confirmed the identification of these substances. Anebi also elaborated on the roles of alcohol and hydrochloric acid in the production process. All ten defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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The prosecution’s first witness, clandestine laboratory expert, Mr. Ajilema Anebi, testified and tendered exhibits relating to the equipment and chemicals recovered from the laboratory.