By ALBERT AKPOR

THE conference center at the Shaw road,Ikoyi Lagos, headquarters of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Thursday, witnessed an unprecedented presence of anxious newsmen as they awaited the chairman of the anti-drug agency, Ahmadu Giade to break the ice and commence briefing on the discovery of a clandestine plant somewhere in Iba, a suburb in Lagos metropolis where dangerous chemicals that are used for the production of explosives and psychotic drugs, identified as methamphetamine were being processed.

The discovery was described as one of the most shocking since the agency was created 21 years ago. Two suspects, including the alleged owner of the illicit plant are presently cooling off in the agency’s custody with a view to ascertaining their level of culpability.

The suspects are: Polycarp Ndilobi, a native of Obi Ngwa, Abia state who claimed to be an employee of the company and Bernard Umezuruike, a creative arts graduate from the University of Benin and an indigene of Arondizuogu in Imo state , said to be the owner and Director of the company. Other suspects are said to be on the run.

Sources at the agency revealed that the plant, a 3- bedroom bungalow located in Iba, a suburb in Lagos metropolis was bought from its owner ostensibly for the purpose of the illicit production. The agency, according to the sources, also uncovered the involvement of some international collaborators from Mexico.

Crime Guard gathered that the lead to the shocking discovery was blown open three months after they started production at the plant. According to the sources, an unnamed staff of the company was allegedly manhandled for an undisclosed reason and he threatened to resign.

His threat was viewed as a ploy to expose the clandestine business deal by the Director of the company who ordered for his ‘detention’ in one of the offices. He was detained for three days.

However, the ‘detained’ staff later liberated himself the night of the third day and promptly reported the matter to the nearby Iba police station. The Director and some key staff of the company were invited for questioning and released almost immediately.

*A production area in the plant

This prompted a follow up report to the office of the anti-drug agency. By the time operatives stormed the plant, the staff of the company had all gone, but they stumbled on an $80,000 invoice which the Director allegedly used in importing some of the deadly chemicals.

It was the address on the invoice that gave the Director, Bernard and his assistant Polycarp away to NDLEA. Briefing newsmen on the shocking discovery and destructive capacity of methamphetamine, Chairman of the agency, Ahmadu Giade said, “ A landmark success has been achieved with the recent detection of a clandestine laboratory in Lagos for the production of methamphetamine.

*Toxic pit in the plant

This discovery is the first of its type in West Africa and the country will continue to work hard to address challenges posed by new twists and forms in the production of narcotics in the sub-region.

Methamphetamine is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol and is usually taken orally or intro-nasally by snorting the powder; or by needle injection or smoking. It is a strong stimulant that affects the central nervous system.

It is very addictive and a derivative of amphetamine. Some of the street names of methamphetamine are speed, meth, chalk ice, crystal and glass. There are very few cases of abuse of methamphetamine in the country as most seizures so far made were meant for export.

The abuse of even small amount of methamphetamine can lead to many physical effects similar to those of other stimulants such as cocaine, heroin, LSD or amphetamines.

*NDLEA officials

Furthermore, long term methamphetamine abuse has many negative health consequences, including extreme weight loss, severe dental problems, also known as meth mouth, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood disturbances and violent behaviors.

Other psychotic features include paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations and delusions such as sensation of insect crawling under the skin; adding, “some of the chemicals recovered in the plant are highly inflammable which experts say are used for the manufacture of explosives.

In-house investigations by our team of experts and those from the US revealed that this plant is basically used for the production of methamphetamine and in view of the seriousness of this development, we have commenced painstaking investigations into the case with a number of suspects including the kingpin in our custody.

The suspects are Polycarp Ndilobi 41, and Bernard Umezurike, 44, the alleged owner of the illegal production center. Already, the agency is working with the assistance of its international collaborators especially the United States, to dismantle the laboratory in a safe manner.

Forensic experts from the US have commenced the clean up process. It is worthy of note that the process of methamphetamine production adopted is very dangerous.

The process usually emits gases like phosphin and hydrogen chloride that can cause instant pulmonary damages and death when inhaled. Studies have also shown that even when there is a clean up exercise of the house, it is still risky to inhabit a house used for the production of methamphetamine.”

But the Director of the company Mr Bernard Umezuruike told Crime Guard that he is yet to understand the allegation NDLEA was heaping on him. He claimed he is working in an oil depot in Warri, Delta state and vowed to seek redress for what he called “gross encroachment on my fundamental rights by operatives of NDLEA.”