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 drug money laundering, while freezing bank accounts containing about N9.84 billion linked to the syndicate.
The agency said the suspects Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga were declared wanted following an order of the Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State. NDLEA said the court order was granted after it filed an application in connection with investigations into the drug trafficking network.
According to the agency, operatives uncovered a clandestine methamphetamine production laboratory at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State on February 25, 2026, where 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and other items were recovered.
Subsequent investigations reportedly linked the four suspects to the facility, after which they allegedly went into hiding.
The NDLEA said forensic investigations led to the freezing of bank accounts linked to the suspects with a combined balance of N9.84 billion.
The agency also secured interim forfeiture orders on assets believed to be proceeds of illicit drug activities, including a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four sport utility vehicles.
Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the operation underscored the agency’s determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks and target their financial structures.
“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,” Marwa said.
He added that the freezing of nearly N10 billion in suspected illicit funds and the forfeiture of high-value assets demonstrated that drug traffickers would no longer be able to hide proceeds of crime in legitimate businesses.
“We will 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,” he said.
Marwa also appealed to members of the public to provide useful information that could assist in locating the wanted suspects.
