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

The 56-year-old Nigerian was captured on Tuesday, March 18, after a search of his hideout led to the discovery of 192kg of cocaine and 0.42kg of heroin.

NACOC confirmed in a statement that field tests identified the substances as illegal drugs, with an estimated street value of $2.1 million.

“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),” it indicated.

Chima, who has been on NACOC’s red list for a while, is believed to be the mastermind behind several past drug seizures in the country.

“The suspect, Uchechukwu Chima who has been a target for NACOC for some time now, and noted 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.

"His arrest represents a major breakthrough in Ghana’s fight against drug trafficking," the statement said.

NACOC has reaffirmed its commitment to making Ghana an unprofitable destination for drug cartels and ensuring public safety.

“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,” it added.