The Managing Director of Visoch
Resources Limited, Ubah Tochukwu, has been arrested with 576 kilogrammes
of drugs that tested positive for methamphetamine and ephedrine
estimated at N4.6bn.
It was learnt that the drugs concealed
in cartons of noodles, cereal and kegs of palm oil were to be exported
to South Africa through Apapa Port when
the Special Enforcement Team of
the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency uncovered them.
According to PUNCH Metro gathered that the
42-year-old suspect, who also goes by the names: Etochukwu Weubah and
Eto Ubah, had allegedly used the company – which sells tiles – for the
production of the drugs before distributing them across the country.
It was learnt that Tochukwu was arrested
at the Murtala Muhammed Airport upon his arrival from Enugu State,
where he reportedly produced the narcotics.
The NDLEA operative that led the
operation, Mr. Sunday Zirangey, confirmed the arrest, adding that the
suspect was apprehended after an undercover surveillance.
He said, “A suspected drug baron,
Tochukwu, who is believed to be coordinating a large volume of
methamphetamine and ephedrine distribution in the country, was
apprehended after intense undercover operations in connection with
illegal exportation of 576kg of narcotics to Durban, South Africa
through the Apapa Port.
“The drugs made up of 266kg of
methamphetamine and 310kg of ephedrine valued at N4.6bn were hidden
inside noodles, cereal and palm oil.
“Preliminary investigations revealed
that the suspect has a company Visoch Resources Limited which he uses as
a cover for his clandestine drug business. Although surveillance report
indicates that he is a major player in drug smuggling, Tochukwu hides
under the cover of tile business.
“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 Morn Cereal and
Indomie noodles while the ephedrine was concealed in gallons of palm
oil.”
The NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, said
the suspect would be charged to court. He said the agency would
intensify its undercover operations to expose drug traffickers in the
country.
He said, “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 suspect will soon be charged to court.”
