The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has declared a suspected drug kingpin, Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, and three of his alleged associates wanted over their involvement in the operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State.
The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
According to him, the other wanted suspects are Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.
Babafemi said the declaration followed an order granted by Justice Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Owerri, after an application filed by the NDLEA in suit No. FHC/OW/CS/22/2026.
He explained that the suspects were linked to a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory uncovered at Isiozi, Umuaka, in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State on February 25, where operatives recovered 18.4 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and other exhibits.
According to the NDLEA spokesman, investigations identified the four suspects as members of the drug syndicate, but they have since gone into hiding.
Babafemi further revealed that forensic investigations led to the freezing of bank accounts linked to the suspects with a combined balance of N9.84 billion.
He added that the agency also secured interim forfeiture orders on several assets allegedly connected to the syndicate, including a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs).
NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, said the operation underscored the agency’s determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks and cripple their financial operations.
“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 seizure of illicit funds and assets sends a strong warning that drug traffickers would no longer be allowed to conceal proceeds of crime through legitimate businesses.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the agency will not relent in going after the fleeing suspects and anyone else linked to this syndicate. We will continue to deploy financial and forensic intelligence to trace, freeze and forfeit assets acquired through drug trafficking,” he added.
