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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.
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.
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.”
Punch
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