ATP - The National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a suspected drug baron, Tochukwu Ubah,
alleged to be coordinating a large volume of methamphetamine and ephedrine
distribution in the country.
This is contained in a
statement issued by Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA, in Lagos
on Sunday.
The statement said Ubah was
arrested by the agency’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) at the old local
section of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos upon arrival from Enugu.
“He was apprehended after
intense undercover operations in connection with illegal exportation of 576kgs
of narcotics to Durban, South Africa through Apapa Port.
“The drug made up of 266kg of
methamphetamine and 310kgs of ephedrine valued at N4.6 billion were hidden
inside noodles, cereals and palm oil,” it said.
According to the statement,
preliminary investigations by the NDLEA revealed that the suspect is also known
as Etochukwu Alaek Weubah and Eto Ubah.
It alleged that the 42-year-old
had a company, Visoch Resources Limited, which he used as a cover for his
clandestine drug business.
The statement said: “Although
the surveillance report indicates that he is a major player in drug smuggling,
Ubah hides under the cover of floor tile business.
“Apart from the seized drugs,
other items in the consignment include maize, vegetables, palm oil, malt
drinks, seasoning, noodles and cereals.
The statement quoted the SET
commander, Mr Sunday Zirangey, as saying that Ubah’s arrest took place
simultaneously with the interception of the consignment of drugs to South
Africa.
“He was immediately taken to
the Port to witness the search operations.
“The methamphetamine was hidden
inside packs of Golden Morn Cereals and Indomie Noodles while the ephedrine was
concealed among gallons of palm oil,” Zirangey was quoted as saying.
The statement said that the
Chairman of the NDLEA, Mr Ahmadu Giade, described the arrest as another
milestone achievement in Nigeria’s fight against narcotics.
Giade was quoted as saying:
“This operation has again validated the importance of intelligence gathering
and management in drug control.
“The arrest of Tochukwu is a
product of painstaking surveillance and another milestone success in the fight
against drugs.
“This seizure is a confirmation
that criminal investments will always go down the drain.”
The statement said the suspect
who hails from Abia state would soon be charged to court.
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