An individual identified as Arturo Carrera Loaiza, 40, was apprehended at Lagos international airport last month while attempting to depart Nigeria, according to announcements from the country’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The arrest led to the discovery of a suspected methamphetamine production facility in Ebonyi state, representing the third such facility allegedly connected to Mexican nationals discovered within a four-month period.
Upon Loaiza’s detention, officials reported finding digital images on his devices depicting him in laboratory attire alongside equipment associated with methamphetamine manufacturing. Metadata from these images directed investigators to a property in Ebonyi state, where they reported locating chemicals and drug production equipment. Loaiza has disputed allegations of involvement in methamphetamine production, stating he had been invited to Nigeria by a local contact to pursue a restaurant business opportunity. Surveillance footage from the facility obtained from a recovered CCTV memory card purportedly showed an individual resembling Loaiza wearing laboratory clothing, alongside a Nigerian national directing activities at the site.
Investigators reported discovering an additional facility in a neighboring community containing various production equipment and chemicals. The agency has alleged that Loaiza recruited and transported another Mexican national to operate a separate suspected methamphetamine laboratory discovered in Oyo state, which was raided during June. That operation resulted in the arrest of four Nigerian nationals alongside the Mexican individual. Earlier operations had resulted in the apprehension of three additional Mexican nationals and seven Nigerian nationals at another alleged production facility.
NDLEA leadership characterized the discoveries as evidence of international criminal organizations attempting to establish drug-production infrastructure in Nigeria’s forest and rural regions. Officials emphasized that synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine can be manufactured in diverse locations when appropriate chemicals and technical knowledge are available, unlike plant-based substances. West Africa’s extensive forested territories present advantages for concealed production operations. The agency stated investigations into the network remain ongoing, with focus on individuals believed to have financed or facilitated these operations.
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