Dangerous hard drugs factory for producing Methamphetamine exposed by NDLEA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Lagos State Command, has said it uncovered a residential building in Okota area of Lagos, allegedly used for the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Arrested at the building located on Lateef Adegboyega Street, Ago Palace Way, was the Chief Executive Officer of Best Fellows Nigeria Limited, Mr. Chijioke.

NDLEA Lagos State commander, Mr. Aliyu Sule, who made the disclosures yesterday, added that 7.6kg of methamphetamine, nine drums of Toluene, a Toyota 4 Runner, a Toyota Hiace bus and a pressure pot were recovered from the laboratory in the building.

He also revealed that 126 persons, among them a pregnant woman, were sentenced between one day and 15 years in prison for various drug offences in 2014; with 118 cases still pending.

In the year under review, the state command said 434 suspected drug traffickers were arrested, out of which 413 were males and 21 females.

He said the command had won 123 convictions at the Federal High Court Lagos in 2014. Among those convicted he said, was a pregnant woman identified as Kudirat Bello, who was sentenced to one-day imprisonment by Justice Musa Kurya for possessing 33.3kg of cannabis.

Another suspect, identified as Lanre Salami, he said, lied to the court that he was 15 years old, only to be discovered to be 17 years. He was reportedly sentenced to 10 years for unlawful dealing in 400 grammes of cannabis.

Sule said: “Salisu Usman, 42, was apprehended at Iddo Motor Park on his way to Zamfara, his home state with 47kg of diazepam. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour, while 38-year-old Obinna Okeke was sentenced to 15 years with hard labour by Justice M. D. Idris for being in possession of 3kg of cannabis.

“In the year under review, drug exhibits seized are as follows: cannabis, 1,989.716kg; cocaine, 188.4 grammes; heroin, 1.645kg; methamphetamine, 7.6kg, and psychotropic substances, 57.8kg.

“Apart from those prosecuted, others found to be addicted were counselled.”

A lucrative

business—suspect

In his statement, Chijioke, who was arrested at the building allegedly used for the production of methamphetamine, said he was introduced into the illicit business, which he said was profitable, by a friend.

The Anambra State-born suspect said: “I only attended primary and secondary schools before I went into trading. A friend introduced me to the business of chemical importation from China and Europe in 2012.

“A year later, I learned how to produce methamphetamine because there is high profit in it. I began to produce methamphetamine in my house in 2013. My first production was bad because of inexperience.

“Gradually, I was able to perfect the process. That was how I got involved in the drug business.”