NDLEA declares suspected drug kingpin, 3 accomplices wanted, freezes N9.8bn

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has declared a suspected drug kingpin and three accomplices wanted over their alleged involvement in operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi on Friday in Abuja.

Babafemi said that the suspects Nnamuka Uchenna, Emmanuella Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi and Ekechi Chijioke, were also wanted for alleged drug production and money laundering linked to the illicit operation.

According to him, the suspects are declared wanted based on the order of Justice Iniekenimi Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Owerri, Imo.

The order, he said, followed an application by NDLEA in the suit number FHC/OW/CS/22/2026 filed before the court on July 3.

According to him, the application was sequel to the discovery of a methamphetamine producing clandestine laboratory where 18.4kg of the illicit substance and other items were recovered.

Babafemi said that the NDLEA operatives had stormed Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo on Feb. 25.

“Investigations later linked the wanted suspects to the meth lab found and have since then gone into hiding.

“Through forensic investigation of the meth syndicate by NDLEA operatives, bank accounts linked to the wanted suspects with a combined balance of N9.8billion was frozen.

“The agency has also secured interim forfeiture orders covering multi billion naira assets owned by members of the syndicate.

“This includes a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) marked RLU 148 AJ; KJA 563 FZ; BWR 249 DY and FST 208 HU,” he said.

Illicit drugs and other recovered at the meth lab by NDLEA operatives

Reacting to the development, the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen Buba Marwa commended the officers and the operatives involved in the operation.

Marwa described it as a clear demonstration of the agency’s resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks and disrupt the financial architecture that sustains them.

“This latest operation reaffirms our unwavering commitment to tracking down drug kingpins and their collaborators, no matter how sophisticated their network or how long they attempt to evade justice.

“The discovery of this clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Njaba, and the subsequent freezing of nearly 10 billion naira in illicit funds, alongside the forfeiture of a filling station, multi-storey buildings and four exotic SUVs, sends an unambiguous message.

“The message is clear; that the illegal drug business is no longer a safe haven for criminals seeking to launder their ill-gotten wealth through legitimate enterprises,” he said.

The NDLEA boss assured Nigerians that the agency would not relent in going after the fleeing suspects and anyone else linked to this syndicate.

Marwa also affirmed that the agency would continue to deploy financial and forensic intelligence to trace, freeze and forfeit assets acquired through drug trafficking.

“Just as we will not hesitate to invoke the full weight of the law against fugitives who think they can hide from justice.

“I appeal to members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspects to volunteer such information to the nearest NDLEA office.

“You can also reach us through our confidential lines, as we remain committed to ridding our communities of the scourge of drug trafficking and its attendant social and economic harm,”Marwa stated.

NAN