NDLEA Busts Transnational Drug Syndicate, Arrest Billionaire Kingpin, Others
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), working in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) Lagos Country Office and law enforcement agencies from Switzerland, France and Greece, have dismantled a major transnational criminal network involved in laundering drug proceeds worth hundreds of billions of naira across Europe and Nigeria.
The multi-country operation led to the arrest of an alleged billionaire drug baron, Amadi Simon, in Switzerland, alongside two suspected female accomplices identified as 34-year-old Jecinta Amara Ikechi and 28-year-old Blessing Ngozi Amadi.
NDLEA disclosed on Thursday that Ikechi was apprehended in Anambra State, while Blessing Amadi was arrested in Agbor, Delta State during coordinated operations carried out on April 28, 2026.
According to the agency, the arrests followed months of intelligence gathering and investigations spanning multiple jurisdictions, which linked the suspects to large-scale laundering of proceeds from narcotics trafficking and related financial crimes.
The anti-narcotics agency said investigations uncovered an extensive network of front and shell companies, proxies, delegates and multiple cryptocurrency wallets allegedly used by the syndicate to conceal illicit funds.
NDLEA further revealed that several high-value properties tied to the suspected drug cartel had been identified both in Nigeria and abroad.
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Among the assets traced to the network are Jovi Hotel located at 1 Isiayei Street, GRA Phase 1, Asaba, Delta State; Jovi Hotel and Suites situated at 4 Orikeze by Deeper Life Road, Agbor, Delta State; and Jovi Apartment at Jamieson Court, Mabushi, Abuja.
The agency also confirmed that several bank accounts and cryptocurrency addresses linked to the syndicate had been identified and blocked as part of ongoing financial investigations.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the operation as a major breakthrough in the global fight against narcotics trafficking and organised financial crimes.
Marwa said the success of the operation underscored the agency’s zero-tolerance stance against crimes threatening national security, economic stability and Nigeria’s international reputation.
“The NDLEA remains relentless in its pursuit of those involved in narcotics trafficking and associated financial crimes, regardless of where they attempt to hide,” he said.
He commended the support provided by the US-DEA and other international partners in dismantling the criminal network, noting that collaboration with the United States Mission in Nigeria had strengthened the agency’s capabilities in intelligence gathering, evidence collection, case management and tactical operations.
Marwa added that the NDLEA would continue to deepen cooperation with international law enforcement agencies to combat transnational organised crime.
He assured that Nigeria would not serve as a safe haven for drug traffickers or their illicit financial operations.
The statement was signed by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
By PRNigeria
