NDLEA Arrests Another Mexican Drug Kingpin, Dismantles Ebonyi Meth Lab
Michael Olugbode in Abuja The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Mexican methamphetamine kingpin attempting to flee Nigeria and dismantled another industrial-scale clandestine laboratory, exposing an expanding
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a Mexican drug lord named Arturo Carrera Loaiza and dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ebonyi State, according to a report on August 30, 2026. Loaiza, aged 56, was apprehended while attempting to flee Nigeria via Lagos airport. This arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into a network of methamphetamine laboratories in Ogun and Oyo States that led investigators to Ebonyi State.
The NDLEA's Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.), revealed that Loaiza was identified as the recruiter of a Mexican national arrested at a forest laboratory in Oyo State. Intelligence also suggested Loaiza entered Nigeria with another Mexican national on June 10, ostensibly for a restaurant venture, although forensic evidence contradicted this claim.
After recovering CCTV footage from the Ebonyi facility, the agency found images of Loaiza in a blue laboratory coat near equipment consistent with methamphetamine production. The recovered chemicals and equipment, including 442.8 kilogrammes of acetone and 31.5 kilogrammes of hydrochloric acid, indicate the scale of the operation.
NDLEA vowed to prevent Nigeria from becoming a base for drug cartels relocating their laboratories from other jurisdictions.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- NDLEA arrests suspected Mexican drug kingpin, uncovers meth lab in Ebonyi premiumtimesng.com
