The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the arrest of Onyeaghalachi Stephen, one of two brothers who are allegedly major suppliers of illegal drugs in the South-East and South-South regions of the nation.
The anti-narcotics agency stated that it has been on his trail for the last nine years.
The Chairman of NDLEA, Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), while making the announcement stated that the agency had earlier urged him to turn himself in before he was eventually arrested.
Onyeaghalachi’s older brother, Eze Stephen, who is also wanted, narrowly escaped during the overnight operation carried out in their two locations in Umuahia and Ntigha Okpuola community in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia state, the agency noted in a statement by its Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi.
The agency has so far sealed two hotels, one eatery, two mansions connected to them, and recovered three exotic vehicles from their homes, he said, adding that during the raid, quantities of cocaine and various strains of cannabis were found in the two houses.
Meanwhile, efforts are still being made to track down 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.
He also stated that a new effort to apprehend the duo and put an end to their criminal activities was launched four months ago, leading to a simultaneous raid operation on their locations on Saturday, November 26 2022.
He said, “The NDLEA has been on their trail since 2013 when they organized a mob attack on some of the agency’s operatives who attempted to apprehend them during a raid. 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.
“While the younger brother, Onyeaghalachi Stephen, who lives in Umuahia, the Abia state capital was successfully arrested, the elder brother, Eze Stephen, narrowly escaped when his Ntigha Okpuola community home was stormed by operatives backed by men of the Nigerian Army. In the course of the operation, one of their militiamen, Eberechi Kingsley Monday was also arrested.”
