NDLEA declares drug kingpin, three associates wanted, freezes N9.8bn linked to syndicate

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has declared an alleged drug kingpin, Nnamuka Uchenna, also known as Odogwu, and three of his associates wanted over their alleged involvement in operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State and laundering proceeds from illicit drug activities.

The agency said the three other suspects are Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.

According to a statement on Friday by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the suspects were declared wanted following an order granted by Justice Iniekenimi Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Owerri, after an application filed by the agency in suit number FHC/OW/CS/22/2026 on July 3.

Babafemi said the court order followed the discovery of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State on February 25, 2026.

He said NDLEA operatives recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and other exhibits during the raid, while subsequent investigations linked the four suspects to the illegal laboratory.

“The suspects have since gone into hiding,” the statement said.

He added that forensic investigations led to the freezing of bank accounts linked to the suspects with a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66.

“Through forensic investigation of the meth syndicate by NDLEA operatives, bank accounts linked to the wanted suspects with a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66 only was frozen”, he said.

Babafemi also disclosed that it had secured interim forfeiture orders on assets allegedly connected to the syndicate, including a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles bearing registration numbers RLU 148 AJ, KJA 563 FZ, BWR 249 DY and FST 208 HU.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the operation as a demonstration of the agency’s determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks and target the financial structures sustaining them.

He said the discovery of the methamphetamine laboratory, the freezing of nearly N10bn in alleged illicit funds and the seizure of high-value assets underscored the agency’s resolve to ensure that drug traffickers no longer find safe havens for laundering proceeds of crime.

Marwa assured Nigerians that the agency would continue to deploy financial and forensic intelligence to track down the fleeing suspects and anyone linked to the syndicate.

He also appealed to members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of the suspects to report to the nearest NDLEA office or through the agency’s confidential communication channels.