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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared an alleged drug kingpin, Nnamuka Uchenna, also known as Odogwu, and three suspected associates wanted over their involvement in operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State and laundering proceeds from illicit drug trafficking.
The 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 declaration followed an order granted by Justice Iniekenimi Oweibo of the High Court in Owerri after an application filed by the NDLEA in suit number FHC/OW/CS/22/2026 on July 3.
According to the NDLEA, the court order stemmed from the discovery of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, during a raid on February 25, 2026.
The agency said its operatives recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and other exhibits at the site, while investigations later linked the four suspects to the operation. It added that the suspects have since gone into hiding.
The NDLEA further disclosed that forensic investigations led to the freezing of bank accounts linked to the suspects containing a combined balance of ₦9.84 billion.
“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.
The agency also obtained interim forfeiture orders on assets allegedly connected to the syndicate, including a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four sport utility vehicles.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the operation reflected the agency’s determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks and disrupt the financial structures that sustain them.
Marwa said the discovery of the methamphetamine laboratory, the freezing of nearly ₦10 billion in suspected illicit funds and the seizure of high-value assets demonstrated the agency’s resolve to prevent drug traffickers from using the financial system to launder proceeds of crime.
He added that the NDLEA would continue to deploy financial and forensic intelligence to track down the fleeing suspects and appealed to members of the public with useful information on their whereabouts to contact the agency through its offices or confidential communication channels.
