The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Mexican methamphetamine kingpin Arturo Carrera Loaiza while attempting to leave Nigeria through the Lagos airport.
The arrest followed months of investigation into an alleged transnational drug network operating across several states.
The agency also dismantled an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory in Ebonyi State, recovering large quantities of chemicals, laboratory equipment and other items allegedly used in drug production.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.), disclosed the development while briefing journalists in Lagos.
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, the investigation began after the discovery of clandestine laboratories in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi states.
On May 16, 2026, NDLEA operatives arrested three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians at a forest hideout in Ogun State.
A month later, on June 17, the agency arrested 56-year-old Mexican national Jose Villa Ochoa and four Nigerian collaborators at a methamphetamine laboratory in Tapa village, Ibarapa North LGA of Oyo State.
Investigators allegedly established that Ochoa was recruited into Nigeria by Loaiza.
International intelligence reportedly provided investigators with Loaiza’s photograph, which Ochoa identified as his recruiter.
Marwa said Loaiza entered Nigeria on June 10 alongside another Mexican national, Jose Ceballos Perez.
After being tracked for weeks, Loaiza was arrested on August 19 while trying to leave Nigeria through the Lagos airport.
During interrogation, Loaiza allegedly claimed that a Nigerian identified as “Henry” invited him to Nigeria for a restaurant business.
He reportedly denied involvement in methamphetamine production or knowledge of the Oyo laboratory.
However, investigators allegedly recovered photographs showing Loaiza in a blue laboratory coat surrounded by equipment associated with methamphetamine production.
Location metadata from the photographs reportedly led investigators to a property under construction at Isiata Ugoni Okposi in Ebonyi State.
The property was linked to John Samuel Ivo Okike, prompting an NDLEA operation on August 30.
Investigators reportedly found a temporary structure near the rear of the property, with witnesses describing persistent strong chemical odours.
A CCTV memory card recovered from the property allegedly showed a foreign national wearing a blue laboratory coat resembling Loaiza’s clothing.
The footage also reportedly showed Okike repeatedly visiting the location.
NDLEA said CCTV footage captured the movement of chemicals and laboratory equipment from the property at about 9 p.m. on August 21.
Okike was allegedly seen directing the movement, while others assisted in relocating the materials.
Further intelligence reportedly led investigators to an isolated house in a neighbouring community.
The relocated materials were allegedly kept there under the custody of Nwanja Obasi.
A subsequent raid led to the recovery of substantial quantities of chemicals and laboratory equipment allegedly linked to methamphetamine production.
Recovered substances reportedly included 442.8kg of acetone, 37.1kg of toluene, 20kg of an acetone/bromobenzene mixture, 1.7kg of ethanol and 31.5kg of hydrochloric acid.
The agency also recovered dehydrators, condensing equipment, pumps, weighing scales, mixers, drums, gas burners, gloves and a fabricated reaction pot.
A blue laboratory coat was also recovered during the operation.
The arrests and laboratory discovery are part of a wider NDLEA investigation into an alleged international methamphetamine network.
The agency said investigations are continuing as operatives trace other suspects, facilities and materials allegedly connected to the network.
