The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday, August 20, disclosed that its operatives discovered a precursor chemical used in fentanyl production and arrested 10 suspects while dismantling a methamphetamine laboratory in a deep forest in Ijebu east, Ogun state, in May.
The agency said the laboratory was hidden in a forest spanning the Abidagba and Iroto communities in Ijebu east local government area.
The operation led to the arrest of three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians, as well as the seizure of 2.4 tonnes of methamphetamine and chemicals valued at over N480 billion.
NDLEA chairman and chief executive officer, Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed the discovery while receiving the director of the US International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau (INL), Derek Tolliver, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Marwa said a forensic equipment provided to the agency with support from the US INL helped identify the precursor chemical.
He said the agency analysed chemicals recovered from the meth lab through its forensic laboratories to determine their intended use.
“With the seizure about two months ago and dismantlement of the meth lab in the deep forest of Ogun state, we relied on the forensic equipment to determine the precursor chemicals.
“And we discovered one of the precursor chemicals was in fact for the production of fentanyl, which is bad news. Nobody wants to hear that word,” Marwa said.
Marwa said the fentanyl-related precursor constituted only a small portion of the chemicals recovered from the laboratory, adding that the discovery could have gone unnoticed without modern forensic equipment.
“It was just a small part of the precursor chemicals. Without these modern tools, that would have gone unnoticed,” he said.
He said the discovery underscored the importance of the forensic laboratories established and equipped with support from the US government.
According to Marwa, the US INL modernised the NDLEA’s forensic laboratory in Lagos and supported the establishment of additional laboratories in Abuja and Enugu.
He said the laboratories had become central to the agency’s operations, particularly in identifying substances recovered during drug investigations.
Marwa commended the US government and its agencies, including the INL, Drug Enforcement Administration, AFRICOM and FBI, for their continued support to the NDLEA.
Earlier, Tolliver congratulated Marwa and the NDLEA on the agency’s recent operational successes.
He said his visit was aimed at strengthening the partnership between the US government and the NDLEA and building on previous INL-supported programmes.
“Lastly, I want to say big congratulations on all the successes over the past months with your leadership and under your leadership. It is phenomenal how much this organisation has grown,” Tolliver said.
He assured the NDLEA of the US government’s commitment to continuing the partnership and advancing their joint programme goals.
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