Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have struck yet another decisive blow against transnational drug syndicates following the discovery and dismantling of a fortified, industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory in Oyo state.

The laboratory is operated by a Nigerian-Mexican cartel deep within the forest of Tapa village in Ibarapa North council area.

Speaking on the development on Wednesday in Abuja, the NDLEA chairman, Buba Marwa, commended the gallantry, dedication, and clinical professionalism of the officers involved in the operation.

Mr Marwa said that the breakthrough came barely four weeks after the agency dismantled a similar massive meth laboratory in a forest in Ijebu East, Ogun state.

This, he said, signalled a desperate attempt by drug barons to turn the Southwest axis into a synthetic drug manufacturing hub.

“On June 17, tactical operatives of the NDLEA stormed a highly fortified, industrial-scale clandestine methamphetamine laboratory operating deep within the forest of Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area, Oyo state.

“This was not a rudimentary setup. It was a sophisticated, highly organised transnational syndicate. During the raid, our operatives successfully arrested five key members of the cartel on site.

“They include a 56-year-old Mexican methamphetamine expert brought in specifically to provide the technical expertise for large-scale synthesis and four Nigerian collaborators providing logistical support, cover, and local operations,” he said.

Mr Marwa said that the arrest of a foreign cartel specialist on Nigerian soil underscored the transnational nature of the threat.

He said that more importantly, it underscored the agency’s world-class intelligence capability to track, intercept, and neutralise them.

“Following the successful raid, a specialised team from our Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring moved in on June 18 to conduct a rigorous forensic examination of the facility. What they uncovered is a massive, factory-level production line of poison. The laboratory was fully stocked with a frightening array of precursor chemicals, industrial catalysts, and heavy-duty processing equipment.

“Chemicals and materials recovered include: Phenyl-II-propanone (P2P), which is the main, highly controlled precursor required for methamphetamine synthesis; 1800-litre drums containing Phenylacetic acid (the primary precursor used to synthesise P2P). Others are 180L drums containing a staggering 300 litres of whitish crystalline substance; Four 180L drums containing dark liquid undergoing synthesis.

“Others are: 101 bags (25kg each) of Caustic Soda; 17 containers (25L each) of Sulphuric Acid; 19.5 containers (25kg each) of Tartaric Acid; 5 containers of Reniso Ultracool 68 (three 50L and two 25L capacity. Others are 25 bottles (500ml each) of 80 per cent Thioglycolic Acid; two containers (25 L each) of Ethyl Phenylacetate, and 25 cartons of aluminium foil, among others,” he said.

Mr Marwa said that the industrial processing equipment discovered at the site included one reactor pot, which was the heart of the chemical synthesis.

He added that two mounted distillation units, three fabricated mixers and condensers, and two vegetable dehydrator machines used for the rapid drying of the crystals were also discovered.

“As a result, immediate field tests were conducted by our forensic experts. Samples of the finished crystals recovered yielded a definitive positive result for Methamphetamine.

“Furthermore, the crystalline substance from the 180L drum tested positive for Phenylacetic acid. Every single gram of these exhibits has been safely evacuated, documented, and preserved for comprehensive and strict evidential presentation in court.

“This is yet another multibillion-naira worth of illicit substances and production equipment ready to push millions of doses of synthetic drugs into our streets, communities and the international community, but for the vigilance of our dedicated officers,” he said.

Mr Marwa noted that the proximity of the latest discovery to the Ogun lab, uncovered about four weeks ago, revealed a desperate attempt by drug barons to establish a synthetic drug manufacturing hub in the South-West axis.

The NDLEA boss added that the cartels thought hiding in dense forests would shield them from the long arm of the law, but they were wrong.

“Let the message go out clearly to all drug cartels, domestic and international, that Nigeria is not, and will never be, a safe haven for your illicit trade. We will find you in the cities, we will track you into the forests, and we will dismantle your infrastructure of death. They thought hiding in a dense forest would shield them from the long arm of the law. They were wrong.

“We want to commend the gallantry, dedication, and clinical professionalism of our officers of the Oyo state command involved in this operation. To the Nigerian public, we say thank you for your continued trust and credible information. Together, we are securing the future of our nation,” he added.

(NAN)