How Mexican drug cartels have outsourced meth labs to Nigeria

Image source, ReutersImage caption, Anti-narcotics officers inspect the site of a suspected illegal drug laboratory in a dense forested area of western NigeriaBySimi JolaosoAfrica correspondent, Reporting fromOgun stateThe Nigerian judge was formally dressed, the lawyers maintained legal decorum and protocol was followed – but this hearing was not in the comfortable confines of a Lagos courtroom, it was inside an alleged illicit drug laboratory in the thick of a dense forest.Three Mexicans and seven Nigerians were paraded in handcuffs, as Justice Musa Kakaki inspected the chemicals and equipment they were accused of using to produce the harmful illegal synthetic drug, methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, crystal meth or, locally, ice.A bitter, pungent smell filled the air of the makeshift laboratory, thanks to a large drum of the liquid form of the drug that was crystallising. Another potent odour came from open vats of a dark, viscous liquid, described as "crude", or unprocessed, methamphetamine. Other products were scattered around, including propane gas cylinders and bags of caustic soda, in the unfinished building.This temporary move of the federal high court to a location ...