Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its offensive against organised drug trafficking by declaring an alleged drug kingpin, Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, popularly known as Odogwu, and three of his associates wanted over their alleged involvement in operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory and laundering billions of naira in illicit proceeds.
The three other suspects declared wanted are Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley, and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.The declaration followed an order of the Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State, granted by Justice Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweibo after an application filed by the NDLEA in Suit No. FHC/OW/CS/22/2026 on July 3, 2026.
According to the agency, the suspects have been on the run since NDLEA operatives uncovered a clandestine methamphetamine production laboratory at Isiozi, Umuaka, in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State on February 25, 2026.During the operation, officers recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine alongside equipment and other items used in the illegal production of the dangerous synthetic drug.
In what the agency described as a major financial breakthrough, forensic investigations traced bank accounts linked to the suspects with a combined balance of ₦9,840,873,566.66, which have now been frozen.The NDLEA also secured interim forfeiture orders covering several high-value assets allegedly acquired with proceeds from drug trafficking.
The assets include a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs).Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended the officers involved in the investigation, describing the operation as a significant blow to organised drug trafficking networks.
Marwa said the agency remains committed not only to arresting drug traffickers but also to dismantling the financial structures that enable their criminal activities.He noted that the freezing of nearly ₦10 billion in suspected illicit funds, alongside the forfeiture of valuable assets, sends a strong message that drug traffickers can no longer hide illegal wealth behind legitimate businesses.
The NDLEA boss assured Nigerians that the agency would continue deploying financial intelligence and forensic investigations to trace criminal assets, arrest fleeing suspects and prosecute everyone connected to the syndicate.He also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspects through the nearest NDLEA office or the agency’s confidential reporting channels.
According to Marwa, public cooperation remains vital in the ongoing effort to rid communities of drug trafficking and its devastating social and economic consequences.