NDLEA Uncovers Meth Labs In Lagos, Anambra, Arrests Barons
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has uncovered two major illegal laboratories in Lagos and Anambra States, where dangerous illicit drug, crystal methamphetamine, called Mkpuru Mmiri, in local parlance, are being produced for distribution across Nigeria and for exportation.
Quoting an internal security alert, issued by the Manager of VGC, Yusuff Morufat, to residents, The NDLEA operatives arrested the occupant of the property, Emeka Nzewi. However, confirming the report on Tuesday, NDLEA chairman and chief executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd), disclosed that the labs, including that of VGC and the one in Anambra, have been dismantled, adding that two barons behind them were also arrested.
Marwa said following the outbreak of crystal methamphetamine abuse in the last quarter of 2021, predominantly in the South East and the cry for help from many communities in the region, because of the devastating effects the distribution and abuse of the dangerous stimulant drug were having on their youths and others, the Agency deployed all available assets to find the primary source of manufacturing of the drug in Nigeria and arrest the barons behind it.
He said while efforts in the past seven months against the cartel behind the Methamphetamine scourge, have led to the arrest of four kingpins and a cook; “now, we have added two barons and another cook. This, no doubt is a loud statement to those involved in the criminal illicit drug trade that it’s time for them to quit or risk losing it all; that is losing their freedom, investment and assets acquired through proceeds from the illegal business.”
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According to him, “I am pleased to inform the public today, that after months of painstaking intelligence gathering, diligent tracking and coordinated offensive action, we recorded a breakthrough on Saturday, July 30, 2022, when officers and men of the Agency successfully busted two methamphetamine manufacturing facilities, called Meth Laboratories.
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He said he’s addressing the public about the weekend busts to raise people’s awareness of the danger that meth production constitutes to public health and the modus operandi of the barons involved in the unwholesome activity.
The NDLEA boss said the lab busts also exposed the interconnectivity among syndicates involved in meth production, adding that the cook was hired by both producers to produce for the VGC lab, as well as the lab in Anambra.
He urged members of the public to be sensitive to their environment. “As we step up the offensive against drug traffickers, we want the public to be more vigilant and be aware of the fact that producers of methamphetamine always choose unsuspecting environments with tight security, like the VGC estate, in this case. And the reason is not far-fetched: They choose secured estates to prevent law enforcement agents from monitoring their activities. They also locate meth labs in remote unsuspecting communities where residents would not be aware of their activities.
Marwa commended the professionalism of the intelligence-led special units assigned the task. “Our forensic experts and the 200-man strike force team that we deployed who were the operational arm that executed the mission of dismantling the labs, seizing the crystal meth, precursors, paraphernalia and arresting the culprits.”
