A suspected drug baron, Onyeaghalachi Stephen Nwagwugwu, has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), nine years after hunting for him.
Nwagwugwu was arrested for allegedly conducting illicit drug supplies in the South-East and South-South parts of the country, a statement by the agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi disclosed.
Babafemi also said that the suspect’s elder brother, Eze Kaleb Stephen, narrowly escaped arrest by operatives of the agency.
“The elder brother, Eze Kaleb Stephen, who is also wanted, narrowly escaped during the overnight operation carried out simultaneously in their two locations: Umuahia and Ntigha Okpuola community in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State,” the statement read in part.
“Investigations show the two notorious brothers began a career in the illicit drug business since the late 90s when they started as pocket dealers before they later established smoking joints/bunks in their community, Ntigha Okpuola and subsequently grew to become barons; owning hotels, houses in choice areas of Abia, Rivers and Imo State, with exotic cars in their homes.”
The NDLEA noted that the manhunt began in 2013 when the suspects allegedly organised a mob attack on some of the agency’s operatives who were attempting to apprehend them during a raid.
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“At least one of the officers attacked then is still bedridden till date. The two drug lords equally own armed militia guarding their houses and drug stores, where they deal in assorted illicit substances like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine (Mpuru-miri), Loud/Arizona and all sorts,” the agency said.
In the course of the operation, one of their militiamen identified as Eberechi Kingsley Monday was also arrested.
“During the raid, quantities of cocaine and variants of cannabis were recovered from the two houses while the agency has so far sealed two hotels, one eatery, two mansions linked to them and recovered three exotic vehicles from their homes as efforts are ongoing to trace more of their bank accounts and properties.
“The identified hotels include: Jahlove Hotel, Mbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North LGA; Noicyhl Luxury Hotel, Aba-Port-Harcourt Expressway, Aba; and Royal Cruise Fast Food, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, all in Abia State.
“Reacting to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), CON, OFR, commended the officers and men of the Agency involved in the operation as well as men of the military who supported them for their professionalism,” it said.
The NDLEA boss added that it was in the interest of the “fleeing baron” to turn himself in before the agency smoked him out because, according to him, there will be no hiding place.