Five Mexican men deny running 'Breaking Bad-style' meth lab in Warwickshire countryside - insisting they were working as chef and builders

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By VIVEK CHAUDHARY, SENIOR REPORTER

Published: 17:28 BST, 10 September 2026 | Updated: 17:35 BST, 10 September 2026

Five Mexican men have denied running a Breaking Bad-style meth lab on a remote farm in Warwickshire claiming they were legitimately working there as chefs and builders.

The men, all in their forties, appeared at Warwickshire Crown Court on Thursday where they pleaded not guilty to the collective charge of being involved in a conspiracy to produce the highly addictive class A drug methamphetamine between February and August of this year.

They are: Alejandro Ambriz Dimas, 45, from Michoacan in southern Mexico; Victora Ramirez, 47, Fausto Beltran, 33, Lioncio Moso Borja, 37, and Jose Nunez Angolo, 44.

All of them except Dimas are from the Sinaloa region of northwest Mexico which is the headquarters of one of the country's most powerful drug cartels and was previously led by Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman.

The five appeared before Her Honour Judge R Campbell and were accompanied in the dock by interpreters. Their respective lawyers told the court that they were in the UK for working reasons and not involved in any conspiracy to produce illegal drugs.

Imaan Blackaby, representing Dimas said: 'He's not aware of any drug conspiracy. He was simply employed on the farm.'

Paul Williams, representing Beltran said: 'He was on the premises for legitimate reasons. He was a chef and not involved in any conspiracy.'

Jenny Burgess, lawyer for Ramirez claimed: 'He was on the premises to assist with construction work. He was aware that there were items around and admits to previous knowledge of meth but that's not why he was there.'

Five Mexican men have denied running a meth lab on a remote farm in Warwickshire. (Pictured: A photo released by police of a basement containing at least three gas canisters, large plastic tubs and several containers connected to metal tubing)

The defendants are alleged to be part of a crime group that was operating a secret meth lab on a farm near the hamlet of Furnace End in Warwickshire.

The production of the illegal drug in a secret, rural location was the backdrop to the award winning Breaking Bad TV series in which a teacher starts making and selling the drug.

The Mexicans were arrested after the farm where they were staying was raided last month in an operation carried out by the National Crime Agency and Warwickshire Police who were assisted by other emergency services.

A photo released by police after shows a dingy basement containing at least three gas canisters, large plastic tubs and several containers connected to metal tubing.

A trial date was set for February 2027 with the court told that it is expected to last for up to a month.