Court to Rule on NDLEA Meth Lab Bid

The Nigerian High Court in Lagos has fixed July 24 to rule on an application by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seeking permission to destroy a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory uncovered in a forest in Ogun State.

Justice Musa Kakaki fixed the date after conducting a special court sitting at the laboratory located in Mowe village, Ijebu East Local Government Area.

The application is part of the ongoing trial of three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians arraigned by the NDLEA on an 11-count charge bordering on the alleged establishment and operation of the illicit drug laboratory.

The agency said its operatives recovered equipment and chemicals allegedly used to produce 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at over ₦480 billion.

The defendants are accused of manufacturing and possessing methamphetamine, managing and financing a drug trafficking network, and transporting precursor chemicals from Lagos to the remote facility.

According to the NDLEA, the chemicals recovered include toluene, phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), phenylacetic acid, acetone and hydrochloric acid.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution’s first witness, clandestine laboratory expert Ajilema Anebi, told the court that scientific analysis confirmed the recovered substances were used in the production and storage of methamphetamine allegedly intended for export.

He also explained the role of alcohol and hydrochloric acid in the production process, while exhibits relating to the recovered equipment and chemicals were tendered in evidence.

Defence counsel opposed aspects of the prosecution’s evidence and raised objections to some of the exhibits.

After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Kakaki adjourned the matter until July 24 to rule on the NDLEA’s request to destroy the laboratory, which the agency described as a major methamphetamine production hub.