A major drug investigation has taken a new turn after the NDLEA arrested a Mexican methamphetamine kingpin.
Arturo Carrera Loaiza was arrested while allegedly trying to leave Nigeria through the Lagos airport.
The operation also led agents to another large methamphetamine laboratory in Ebonyi State.
NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa, announced the arrests during a media briefing in Lagos.
He said the case followed months of investigation into an international drug network.
The network was linked to hidden laboratories in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi states.
According to Marwa, three Mexicans and seven Nigerians were arrested at a forest location in Ogun on May 16, 2026.
Another Mexican, Jose Villa Ochoa, 56, was arrested with four Nigerians in Oyo on June 17.
Investigators later linked Ochoa to Loaiza, who entered Nigeria on June 10 with another Mexican, Jose Ceballos Perez.
Ochoa reportedly identified Loaiza from an internationally obtained photograph.
The NDLEA methamphetamine arrest came on August 19, when Loaiza was tracked to Lagos airport.
He allegedly told investigators that a Nigerian contact named “Henry” invited him for a restaurant business.
However, investigators reportedly found images showing Loaiza in a blue laboratory coat beside drug-making equipment.
The images helped lead investigators to a property under construction in Ebonyi State.
On August 30, NDLEA operatives raided the property linked to John Samuel Ivo Okike.
CCTV footage reportedly showed a foreigner resembling Loaiza moving chemicals and laboratory equipment.
Further searches led agents to a nearby house where the materials were reportedly stored.
Operatives recovered chemicals, laboratory equipment and other items linked to methamphetamine production.
The NDLEA methamphetamine arrest has exposed another suspected link in the international drug network.
Marwa said the investigation remains focused on uncovering the full network behind the laboratories.
