The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared alleged drug kingpin Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, also known as Odogwu, and three associates wanted over alleged methamphetamine production and drug money laundering, while freezing N9.84 billion linked to the syndicate.
The suspects include Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.
Justice Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State, approved the order after NDLEA filed suit number FHC/OW/CS/22/2026 on July 3, 2026.
NDLEA traced the suspects to a secret methamphetamine laboratory uncovered at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State on February 25, 2026.
Operatives recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and other items before investigators linked the four suspects to the illegal operation.
The agency said they have remained in hiding.
NDLEA said forensic investigations led to the freezing of bank accounts holding a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66. The agency also secured interim forfeiture orders for assets linked to the syndicate.
The assets include a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) with registration numbers RLU 148 AJ, KJA 563 FZ, BWR 249 DY and FST 208 HU.
However, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers involved in the operation.
He said the case shows the agency’s determination to break drug trafficking networks and destroy the financial system that supports them.
Marwa said the discovery of the meth laboratory, the freezing of nearly N10 billion and the forfeiture of major assets prove that drug traffickers can no longer hide illegal wealth in legitimate businesses.
He added that NDLEA will continue to use financial and forensic intelligence to trace, freeze and confiscate assets linked to drug crimes.
He assured Nigerians that the agency would pursue the fleeing suspects and anyone connected to the syndicate.
He also urged members of the public to report any information about the suspects to the nearest NDLEA office or through the agency’s confidential channels.
External Links
NDLEA Official Website
Federal High Court of Nigeria
Nigeria Police Force
