NACOC arrests notorious Nigerian trafficker over US$2.1 million drug bust

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has successfully apprehended Uchechukwu Chima, a long-time drug trafficking suspect, in an intelligence-driven operation at Oyarifa, a suburb of Accra.

The 56-year-old Nigerian national was taken into custody on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, after authorities searched his hideout and discovered a staggering 192 kg of cocaine and 0.42 kg of heroin.

Field tests confirmed these substances as narcotics, with an estimated street value of $2.1 million.

Chima has been a person of interest for NACOC for an extended period and is suspected of orchestrating several previous drug seizures.

NACOC views this arrest as a significant step in Ghana’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking.

The commission reiterated its dedication to making Ghana a hostile environment for drug cartels and ensuring the safety of the public.

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