Five Mexican men have been charged with drug offences after police found a meth lab in the British countryside. 

The defendants – all in their forties – were allegedly part of a crime group that operated a secret drug production facility on remote farmland near Furnace End in Warwickshire.

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

The suspects were arrested on August 13 and remanded in custody at Coventry Magistrates' Court before an appearance before Warwickshire Crown Court tomorrow. 

They include Alejandro Ambriz Dimas, 45, from Michoacan in southern Mexico. 

The others – Victora Ramirez, 47, Fausto Beltran, 33, Lioncio Moso Borja, 37, and Jose Nunez Angolo, 44 – are from Culiacan, in the Sinaloa region of north-west Mexico. 

They are all accused of conspiracy to produce methamphetamine, a Class A drug.

The investigation was carried out by the National Crime Agency. 

Warwickshire Police, West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service also assisted with the operation. 

Methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth, is a Class A drug and comes in pill or powder form. 

It is highly addictive and can lead to severe psychosis, a heart attack or a stroke.