NDLEA arraigns two Mexican nationals, four Nigerians over alleged Meth factory in Oyo

Two Mexican nationals and four Nigerian citizens have been arraigned in Federal High Court in Ibadan for allegedly attempting to set up a methamphetamine manufacturing operation in Oyo State.

The defendants appeared before Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha after their arrest in connection with an illegal drug lab discovered in a wooded area of Tapa village, located in the Ibarapa North Local Government Area. The Nigerian defendants are identified as Maxwell Uche Nevoh, 30; Olatunji Yusuf, 37; Bankole Akeem Owolabi, 45; and Ganiu Monsiu, 43. They were detained alongside 56-year-old Jose Villa Ochoa, a Mexican national, during an operation conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on June 17, 2026.

A second Mexican suspect, 40-year-old Carrera Loaiza Arturo, was arrested on August 19 at Lagos Airport as he allegedly attempted to leave Nigeria.

The NDLEA announced the developments in a statement issued on Friday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi. The agency stated that the defendants face four counts related to conspiracy to establish and operate a drug trafficking network, as well as the establishment of an illegal facility for methamphetamine production.

The charges stem from alleged activities at various locations in Lagos and Oyo states between December 2025 and June 2026. The defendants are also accused of transporting and distributing chemical substances intended for the production of methamphetamine, a violation of Section 20(1)(f) of the NDLEA Act, which is punishable under Section 20(2)(a).

Upon reading the charges, the six defendants denied the allegations in their respective languages. Following this, Justice Maha ordered their remand at the Correctional Centre in Ibadan until further proceedings. The court has scheduled the trial to commence from January 26 to 29, 2027.

Read Full Article