THREE Bolivians and a Nigerian have been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in connection with a clandestine laboratory for the illicit production of Methamphetamine at satellite town, Lagos.
Chairman, NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, who announced the arrest yesterday, warned that the agency would not treat the development with kid gloves as it threatened public health and safety.
Methamphetamine is a powerful addictive stimulant that dramatically affects the central nervous system. It is produced using precursor chemicals. Findings show that there may be insignificant local abuse as it is mainly meant for export.
Giade said NDLEA operatives attached to the Lagos State Command uncovered the illicit drug laboratory.
According to the agency, items recovered at the production area included 41.150kg of ephedrine, 4.8kg of methamphetamine as well as other chemicals and sundry gadgets used in the laboratory.
Three vehicles, a Honda Accord Saloon car, a Honda CRV Jeep and a Toyota 4 Runner Jeep were also impounded.
The three Bolivians are Yerko Artunduaga Dorado, 19 years old; Ruben Ticona Jorge, 21; and Hugo Chavez Moreno, 39. The fourth suspect is a 23-year-old Nigerian, Uba Ubachukwu Collins.
Two other suspects, Solomon Azuka Uzoka and Basil Ikechukwu Uzoka, are wanted by NDLEA for questioning over the drug laboratory discovery.
Giade stressed that clandestine drug laboratories constituted a serious threat to societal peace and security.
He added: “It is important to stress that such buildings are not safe for habitation. A house used for the illicit production of methamphetamine is simply a death trap. Tenants moving into new buildings are hereby advised to carry out discreet investigations on the previous occupants.
“Besides the environmental pollution, gullible and unemployed youths are being used to smuggle these drugs to countries with high demand. Several methamphetamine traffickers have been caught at the airports and land borders”.
Giade stated that most chemicals found in such clandestine laboratories “are flammable, corrosive and toxic. Unprotected exposure to such chemicals could cause headaches, watery or burning eyes, burning skin, coughing or choking feeling, weakness and dizziness.”