NDLEA arrests suspected drug baron, intercepts 576kg of narcotics
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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