The National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested another billionaire drug baron, Ugochukwu Nsofor Chukwukadibia, in the highbrow residential estate, Victoria Garden City, Lekki Area of Lagos.
Recovered from the mansion was no less than 13, 451, 466million pills of Tramadol 225mg which street value has been put at N8.8 billion.
The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, made the disclosures in a press release, today.
The arrest of Ugochukwu, who is the Chairman of Autonation Motors Ltd is coming barely two months after NDLEA uncovered a methamphetamine clandestine laboratory in the residence of another drug kingpin in the estate, Chris Emeka Nzewi.
Nzewi was arrested on Saturday, 30 July, along with a chemist, Sunday Ukah, who cooked the illicit drug for him.
At least, 258.74 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and various precursor chemicals used for the production of the toxic drug were recovered from Nzewi’s home during his arrest.
“Following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives, on Friday, 30 September stormed the Plot A45 Road 2 home of the 52-year-old billionaire drug kingpin.
“A search of the expansive mansion led to the discovery of 443 cartons of Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg, which contains 13, 451, 466 pills of the drug while some cartons were already burnt in a fire incident in the house same day.
“Before his arrest, Ugochukwu, who hails from Ihiala local government area of Anambra State, has been on the agency’s watchlist as one of those behind the tramadol drug cartel in Nigeria,” it was stated in the release.
Preliminary investigation lrevealed that he Ugochukwu about six mansions within the VGC, one of which he uses to warehouse the tramadol consignment, while he lives in the one at Plot Z-130 Road 67 and another as his office.
“Five exotic vehicles were also located in two of his mansions, out of which two SUVs, including a bullet jeep, have been successfully removed to the agency’s facility,” it was added in the release.
Reacting to the latest drug haul, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers and men involved in the operation for their diligence.
He also appreciated Nigerians for supporting the anti-drug agency in its arduous task of ridding the country of the menace of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
“I will like to reassure Nigerians and other stakeholders wherever they are located across the country and beyond of our preparedness to work with them on this onerous task of saving our people from the drug scourge.
“This partnership is a further warning to the drug barons and cartels that there is no hiding place for them anymore, because we remain on their trail and well always get them,” he was quoted to have said.
