*NDLEA uncovers three methamphetamine production factories
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| An underground lab |
Nobody
could have been more stunned than NDLEA agents investigating the activities of
a Colombian drug Kingpin, Mr.Gonzelo Osorio, who specializes in the
construction of methamphetamine production in Nigeria.
Osorio
was invited to Nigeria, by a Nigerian drug baron, who pays him a whooping N24m
monthly to assist in building a laboratory solely for the production of methamphetamine.
According
to experts, methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant drug that is
similar in structure to amphetamine. Due to its high potential for abuse,
methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II drug and available only through
a prescription that cannot be refilled. The drug is hazardous the producers,
workers in the laboratories and people living within and around the environment
where the labs are situated. It can cause cancer, hallucinations and delusions,
among other ill health and terminal diseases.
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| Chemical disposed in one of the labs |
Chairman
of NDLEA, Mr. Ahmadu Giade who expressed shock at the amount of money, such
barons were willing and ready to sink into projects that are harmful to
Nigerians, added that the Colombian’s salary, also highlighted the sort of
money, drug barons were carting to the banks every month, if not every day!
Giade
raised concern over the health and security implication of illegal
methamphetamine production in the country.
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| Newly produced meth, ready for drying |
This
followed discovery of three production factories in Lagos and Anambra States
and the arrest of the Colombian drug kingpin.
The
NDLEA chairman described the development as sad and worrisome.
His
words: “Our investigation had shown that the Colombian methamphetamine
production expert, Gonzelo Osorio aka Fabian Arcila and Baez Benitez Milan was
invited to establish three clandestine laboratories on a 38,000 dollars weekly
contract. This is sad and worrisome. It is a clarion call on stakeholders to
pay priority attention on this dangerous twist in our nation’s drug trade”.
Narcotic
investigators have arrested seven members of the criminal gang who are helping
in further investigation. The suspects are Gonzelo Osorio, Gabriel Onyebuchi
Obi, Anthony Ebi, Olisa Cyprian Onyebuchukwu, Mickey Ezeokoli, Solomon Ogbonna
and Chidi Alexandra Efeagwazi.
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| One of the labs |
Twelve
vehicles belonging to suspected members of the cartel have been confiscated. In
addition, four houses have also been traced to the criminal group by the
Agency.
The
undercover operation that led to the crackdown on the criminal gang commenced
in November 2011 when Gonzelo-Osorio was contracted by a Nigerian drug
syndicate to establish three methamphetamine production laboratories in
different parts of the country.
According
to Giade, the operation was one of the best coordinated in terms of duration,
expertise and professionalism.
The
first clandestine laboratory Gonzelo established was situated at Majek area of
Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State while another one was located
in Nanka village in Nnewi area of Anambra State in Eastern Nigeria. The criminal
gang was in the process of establishing the third laboratory when they were
apprehended by NDLEA officers.
“Gonzelo-Osorio
left the country in December 2011 and returned on 30th of May 2012
with a false identity as a citizen of Paraguay with the name Baez Benitez Milan
on his travel documents. He is regarded as the best methamphetamine production
expert in the country and was hired on $38,000 dollars weekly by the drug
cartel” Giade stated.
While
the above operation was on-going, a suspect was apprehended in Lagos for using
his residence for a solo production of methamphetamine. The reality of the
threat according to the Agency is that it is both a syndicate and a one man
affair.
“The
concerted efforts of stakeholders are required. The suspects involved in the
criminal act are either ignorant of the lethal health consequences of their
action or have simply been blinded by their selfish interests. Methamphetamine
production endangers public health. More worrisome is the security implication
due to the huge profit involved” the NDLEA boss stated.
It
will be recalled that the first clandestine laboratory was discovered in June
2011 in Lagos. The second laboratory also discovered in Lagos early this year
revealed the engagement of foreigners by local drug cells as three Bolivian
expatriates who were running the laboratory were arrested and are currently
undergoing trial. In all 5 production factories have been located by the
Agency.
Methamphetamine
laboratories pose a serious health danger to the society. The risk of infection
is also very high even after several years of abandonment. The chemicals and
the gasses emitted during production are highly injurious. Even residents
living close to a production area are also at risk.
The
Agency expressed readiness to stop the unwarranted health hazard in the
country. Members of the public were urged to be vigilant and report suspected
cases to the Agency. Persons seeking accommodation are advised to investigate
the history of the house before moving into new apartments to prevent health
problems of houses used in methamphetamine production.
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