The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Mexican national identified as Arturo Carrera Loaiza, described by the agency as a drug kingpin, while attempting to leave Nigeria through the Lagos airport.

The development came alongside the dismantling of another industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory, with investigators recovering large quantities of chemicals, laboratory equipment and suspected drug-related materials in Ebonyi State.

Briefing journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said the operation followed an extensive investigation into a transnational network allegedly attempting to establish clandestine drug laboratories in Nigeria.

Marwa, represented at the briefing by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the investigation had been ongoing for months following a series of major discoveries in different parts of the country.

The NDLEA had earlier arrested three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerian collaborators at a forest location in Ogun State on May 16, 2026.

A further operation on June 17 led to the arrest of another Mexican national and four Nigerian collaborators at a suspected methamphetamine laboratory hidden in a forested area of Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Field testing at the Oyo State location reportedly confirmed the presence of substantial quantities of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals.

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According to Marwa, investigations by the agency’s Special Operations Unit eventually linked the Oyo State operation to a wider international network.

A 56-year-old Mexican methamphetamine expert, Jose Villa Ochoa, who was arrested at the Oyo forest laboratory, allegedly told investigators that he had been recruited into Nigeria by Arturo Carrera Loaiza.

NDLEA investigators, working with international partners, reportedly obtained a photograph of Loaiza. Ochoa allegedly identified the individual in the photograph as the person who recruited him and facilitated his movement into Nigeria.

Intelligence gathered by the agency indicated that Loaiza entered Nigeria on June 10, 2026, alongside another Mexican national, Jose Ceballos Perez.

The NDLEA said its operatives eventually tracked and arrested Loaiza on August 19, 2026, as he allegedly attempted to leave the country through Lagos airport.

During questioning, Loaiza reportedly claimed that a Nigerian contact known only as “Henry” had invited him to Nigeria for what was presented as a restaurant business venture.

He allegedly denied knowledge of methamphetamine production and rejected any connection with the laboratory discovered at Tapa village.

However, investigators said they recovered photographs showing Loaiza wearing a blue laboratory coat and standing among equipment believed to be associated with methamphetamine production.

The agency said location metadata contained in the photographs helped investigators identify a property under construction at Isiata Ugoni Okposi in Ebonyi State.

NDLEA operatives subsequently searched the property on August 30. Interviews with individuals at the site, including a caretaker and site engineer, reportedly revealed the presence of a suspicious temporary structure over a septic tank area and strong chemical odours coming from the premises.

A CCTV memory card recovered from the property provided investigators with additional evidence, according to the agency.

The footage allegedly showed a foreign national wearing a blue laboratory coat who appeared to match Loaiza, while John Samuel Ivo Okike was also repeatedly seen at the location.

Investigators said CCTV footage captured around 9 p.m. on August 21 showing chemicals and laboratory equipment being moved away from the property. Okike was allegedly seen directing the operation with the assistance of other individuals.

Following intelligence from a confidential source, NDLEA operatives reportedly traced the relocated materials to an isolated house in a neighbouring community.

The property, according to the agency, was under the custody of an individual identified as Nwanja Obasi.

A subsequent raid allegedly resulted in the recovery of a substantial quantity of chemicals, equipment and paraphernalia connected to methamphetamine production.

Among the materials listed by the agency were a dehydrator containing a white cloth sieve with loose suspected methamphetamine, three additional dehydrators, 442.8kg of acetone, 37.1kg of toluene and a 20kg acetone/bromobenzene mixture.

Other recovered materials reportedly included ethanol, chloride salt, hydrochloric acid, P2B and tartaric acid, alongside condensers, a fabricated reaction pot, pumps, weighing scales, mixers, drums and gas burners.

A blue laboratory coat matching one previously recovered at the construction property was also reportedly found among the items.

The NDLEA said the combination of CCTV footage, forensic findings and witness accounts had strengthened the case against individuals allegedly connected to the network.

Marwa warned that Nigeria would not be permitted to become a base for international drug cartels seeking to move their operations into forests and rural communities.

He commended personnel from the Special Operations Unit, Strike Force, Forensics Unit and the Oyo, Ogun and Ebonyi State Commands for their work.

The NDLEA chairman said the agency would continue following the trail until the alleged network, financiers and local collaborators are identified and brought to justice.

The agency also urged residents, particularly those living in rural and forested areas, to report suspicious activities, unusual chemical smells and unfamiliar structures.

Members of the public can contact the NDLEA through its toll-free number, 080010203040, or via email at info@ndlea.gov.ng.