The trial of nine drug traffickers, who allegedly hid 266 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine and 310 kilogrammes of Ephedrine, banned substances suspected to be cocaine, heroin and LSD, in cartons of noodles and jerry cans, has commenced. The defendants are Ubah Harris Alaekwe, also known as Etochukwu Alaekwe Weuba, Eto Uba, Eto and Toscani. Others are Tochukwu Victor Nnamdi Ubah, Chibueze Ubaka Gabriel, Chibueze Alex Izuchukwu, Ugwu Nnaemeka Bertrand, Onyeka Jasper Chika, Okoliechukwu Francis Chidozie and Dahiru Bwala.
Their companies are Visochi Resources Limited, Tovic Marine Services Limited, Chazmax Pharma Industries Limited, Impact Pharmaceutical Limited and Chidomerit Pharmaceutical Limited. The defendants are standing trial on an eight-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful attempt to export the banned substances, unlawful possession and distribution of banned substances. During the hearing, a prosecution witness of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, Mr Fred Etom, told a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos of how the agency discovered that the seized banned substances were hidden in noodles cartons.
Etom, who was led in evidence by the NDLEA prosecutor, Mr. Lambert Nor, said that the four cartoons of noodles contained 266 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine, while the 17 jerry cans and cartoons of cereal contained 310 kilogrammes of Ephedrine. He also stated that N296,000 and $50,000, seized from the defendants, were transferred and handed over to him by the operatives that made the arrests. Etom, who was testifying before Justice Ayotunde Faji, further informed the court that a 20-foot container used to transport the banned substances was also handed over to him.
Source: News agencies
