Enugu state Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered an illicit drug factory manufacturing methamphetamine.

State Commander, Adeyemi Adeofe, who paraded three suspects after addressing newsmen at the agency’s headquarters in Enugu, yesterday, disclosed that the first two were arrested with 100 kilogramme of ephedrine, last Saturday.

He said in a follow-up operation, the following day, led them to No.1 Zion Avenue, Phase 6; Trans-Ekulu in Enugu where they apprehended the next suspect and also unravelled a clandestine laboratory.

According to him, their arrests were based on credible intelligence, adding that due to the hazardous nature of the chemicals involved, the agency has dismantled the laboratory, while the precursor chemicals and paraphernalia and other equipment for production were also seized.

He said that investigation was ongoing to unravel the other members of the syndicate.

Adeofe said there is urgent need to decontaminate the area as waste products of the illicit substance in the course of production have trickled into wells of neighbouring compounds, thus poisoning their source of water supply.

“This is a very serious implication because time will come the effects of these chemicals will result to deadly health challenges like cancer, birth deformity, kidney problems, etc.

“We call on government to come to the rescue of residents within the neighbourhood and, to also appeal to the general public to come up with useful information whenever they notice or perceive strange activities or unusual smells within their environment,” he advised.

•Sourced from a Daily Sun report

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