The Special Enforcement Team (SET) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a suspected drug baron, Tochukwu Harris Ubah, in connection with an attempted export of 266kg of methamphetamine and 310 kg of ephedrine to South Africa.
Ubah, also known as Etochukwu Alaek Weubah and Eto Ubah was arrested at the weekend.
The NDLEA believed the 42 year-old is coordinating a large volume of methamphetamine and ephedrine distribution in and out of the country.
He was apprehended after intense undercover operations in connection with illegal exportation of 576kgs of narcotics to Durban, South Africa through Apapa Port, Lagos.
The drugs were valued at $23million or N4.6 billion naira.
They were hidden inside noodles, cereals and palm oil.
According to NDLEA, Ubah has a company Visoch Resources Limited which he uses as a cover for his clandestine drug business. Apart from the seized drugs, other items in the consignment include maize, vegetables, palm oil, malt drinks, seasoning, noodles and cereals.
According to SET commander, Mr Sunday Zirangey, the suspected drug kingpin, Tochukwu was arrested at the old local section of the Murtala Muhammed Airport upon arrival from Enugu.
“His 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 More Cereals and Indomie Noodles while the ephedrine was concealed among gallons of palm oil” Zirangey stated.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade described the arrest as another milestone achievement in Nigeria’s fight against narcotics.
