The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) says it has arrested a long-time drug trafficking suspect, Uchechukwu Chima, in a successful intelligence-led operation at Oyarifa, a suburb of Accra.

The 56-year-old Nigerian national was apprehended on Tuesday, March 18, following a search of his hideout, which the Commission says uncovered 192kg of cocaine and 0.42kg of heroin. Field tests confirmed the substances as narcotics, with an estimated street value of $2.1 million.

Chima, who has been on NACOC’s radar for some time, is believed to be the mastermind behind several past drug seizures.

NACOC says his arrest represents a major breakthrough in Ghana’s fight against drug trafficking, and reaffirmed its commitment to making Ghana an unprofitable destination for drug cartels and ensuring public safety.

Read the statement below:

Dated: Wednesday 19, March, 2025

For Immediate Release

NACOC ARRESTS A LONG TIME DRUG TARGET*

An intelligence led operation by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) on Tuesday, 18 March 2025, resulted in the arrest of a 56 year old Nigerian, Uchechukwu Chima at Oyarifa, a suburb of Accra.

A search conducted by the NACOC team at the suspect’s hideout uncovered substances suspected to be narcotic drugs. Field tests conducted on the suspected substance proved positive for cocaine and heroin, both narcotic drugs. The suspected narcotic substances, with a total weight of about 192kg of cocaine and 0.42kg of heroin, are estimated at a street value of Two Million, One Hundred and Twenty-one Thousand, Six Hundred and Sixty United States Dollars (US$2.1 Million).

The suspect, Uchechukwu Chima who has been a target for NACOC for some time now, is noted to be the brain behind some seizures/arrests made by NACOC in the past.

NACOC by this seizure and arrest, has taken this substantial quantity of drugs from the street, saving millions of lives of people who would have otherwise perished from abusing these hard drugs.

NACOC remains committed to making Ghana an unprofitable destination for drug trafficking and thus protecting the safety and well-being of all Ghanaians and the international community.

Signed
Francis Opoku Amoah
Acting Director, Public Affairs and International