The Federal High Court, Oyo and Lagos divisions have ordered the remand of five Mexican nationals and 11 of their Nigerian collaborators for their alleged involvement in the operation of laboratories for the production of methamphetamine in forests.

Two Mexicans and four Nigerians were on Friday arraigned before the Oyo Division of the Federal High Court over their alleged involvement in the operation of a laboratory in Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area.

In a statement on Friday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said operatives arrested one of the Mexicans, Jose Villa, 56, and four Nigerian collaborators, Maxwell Uche Nevoh, 30; Olatunji Yusuf, 37; Bankole Akeem Owolabi, 45; and Ganiu Monsiu, 43, on June 17, 2026.

“The second Mexican, Carrera Loaiza Arturo, 40, was tracked down and arrested when attempting to flee the country through the Lagos airport on 19 August 2026,” he said.

The defendants allegedly conspired between December 2025 and June 2026, at different locations in Lagos and Oyo states, to operate the laboratory.

They were also accused of unlawfully transporting and distributing chemical substances for the manufacture of the illicit drug, contrary to Section 20(1)(f) and punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the NDLEA Act.

The six defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha subsequently ordered that the suspects be remanded in the correctional centre, Ibadan.

Ms Maha adjourned the case until January 26, 27, 28, and 29 for trial.

Three other Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians arrested over a similar operation at a forest hideout in Ogun State on May 16, 2026, have also been remanded in custody.

Mr Babafemi said the suspects were arraigned before the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, where their bail application was rejected and an accelerated hearing ordered.