NDLEA Declares Drug Kingpin Wanted, Freezes N9.8Bn Linked To Meth Syndicate
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
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 roles in operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory and laundering proceeds from drug trafficking.
Disclosing this on Friday, the anti-narcotics agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi named the other wanted suspects as Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley, and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.
The declaration followed an order 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 July 3, 2026.
According to the agency, the suspects were linked to a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory uncovered by NDLEA operatives at Isiozi, Umuaka, in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State on February 25, 2026. During the raid, officers recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and other incriminating items. Investigations later identified the four suspects as members of the syndicate, but they have since gone into hiding.
The NDLEA said forensic investigations also uncovered bank accounts linked to the suspects with a combined balance of ₦9,840,873,566.66, which have now been frozen. The agency further secured interim forfeiture orders covering assets allegedly acquired through the illicit drug trade, including 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.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the operation as a major breakthrough in the agency’s campaign against organised drug trafficking and money laundering.
He said the discovery of the clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, the freezing of nearly ₦10 billion linked to the syndicate and the seizure of high-value assets demonstrate the agency’s determination to dismantle criminal networks and strip traffickers of the financial resources that sustain their operations.
Marwa assured Nigerians that the agency would continue to deploy financial and forensic intelligence to track down the fleeing suspects, freeze illicit assets and ensure those involved in drug trafficking face the full weight of the law.
He also appealed to members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspects to report to the nearest NDLEA office or through the agency’s confidential communication channels, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and its social and economic consequences.
