Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have recovered thirteen million, four hundred and fifty-one thousand, four hundred and sixty-six pills of Tramadol 225mg worth eight billion eight hundred and sixty million naira in street value.

The operatives recovered from one of the mansions of a suspected billionaire drug baron, Ugochukwu Nsofor Chukwukadibia, in the highbrow residential estate, Victoria Garden City, Lekki area of Lagos.

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, who was arrested thirteenth July along with a chemist, Sunday Ukah, who cooked the illicit drug for him.

According to NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, 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, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives last Friday stormed the Plot A45 Road 2 home of the 52-year-old billionaire drug kingpin, and 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.
He said before the arrest of Ugochukwu who hails from Ihiala local government area of Anambra state, he has been on the Agency’s watch list as one of those behind the tramadol drug cartel in Nigeria.
According to him, preliminary investigation shows that Ugochukwu has 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.
In his statement, five exotic vehicles have also been located in two of his mansions, out of which two SUVs including a bullet jeep have been successfully removed to the Agency’s facility.
Reacting to the latest drug haul, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa commended the officers and men involved in the operation for their diligence while also appreciating Nigerians for supporting the Agency in its arduous task of ridding the country of the menace of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Marwa reassured Nigerians and other stakeholders wherever they are located across the country and beyond of the agency’s preparedness to work with them on this onerous task of saving the people from the drug scourge.
According to him, the partnership is a further warning to the drug barons and cartels that there is no hiding place for them anymore, because the agency remain on their trail and would always get them.