NDLEA Declares Alleged Drug Kingpin, Three Associates Wanted, Freezes N9.8bn Linked to Meth Syndicate
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared an alleged drug kingpin, Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, also known as Odogwu, and three of his associates wanted over their alleged involvement in the operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory and a large-scale drug money laundering network.
The three other suspects declared wanted are Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.
The declaration followed an order issued by Justice Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State, after the NDLEA filed an application in Suit No. FHC/OW/CS/22/2026 on 3 July 2026.
According to the anti-narcotics agency, investigations began after its operatives uncovered a clandestine methamphetamine production laboratory at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State on 25 February 2026.
During the raid, NDLEA officers recovered 18.4 kilogrammes of methamphetamine alongside other equipment and materials allegedly used in the manufacture of the illicit drug.
Subsequent investigations reportedly linked the four suspects to the illegal laboratory. However, the agency said they had gone into hiding before they could be arrested.
In a major breakthrough, the NDLEA disclosed that its forensic financial investigation led to the freezing of bank accounts linked to the syndicate containing a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66.
The agency also secured interim forfeiture orders covering several high-value assets allegedly acquired through proceeds of drug trafficking.
The assets include a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) bearing registration numbers RLU 148 AJ, KJA 563 FZ, BWR 249 DY and FST 208 HU.
The NDLEA said the freezing of the accounts and forfeiture of the assets formed part of its broader strategy to dismantle organised drug trafficking networks by targeting their financial resources.
Reacting to the development, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, retired Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended the officers involved in the operation, describing it as another significant step in the agency’s campaign against organised drug crime.
Marwa said the operation underscored the NDLEA’s determination to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates and disrupt the financial structures that enable their activities.
He noted that the discovery of the clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Njaba, the freezing of nearly N10 billion in suspected illicit funds and the forfeiture of valuable assets demonstrated that criminals could no longer rely on legitimate businesses to conceal proceeds of drug trafficking.
The NDLEA chairman assured Nigerians that the agency would continue pursuing the fleeing suspects and every individual connected to the criminal network.
He said the agency would sustain the deployment of financial and forensic intelligence to identify, trace, freeze and confiscate assets linked to drug trafficking while ensuring that those responsible were brought to justice.
Marwa also appealed to members of the public to assist the agency by providing credible information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspects through the nearest NDLEA office or its confidential communication channels.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to eliminating drug trafficking and reducing its social and economic impact on communities across the country.
The latest operation represents one of the NDLEA’s most significant financial enforcement actions in recent months, highlighting the agency’s increasing focus on attacking not only the illicit drug trade but also the financial infrastructure that sustains organised criminal syndicates.
