The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has declared four suspects wanted over their alleged roles in running a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State and laundering proceeds from illicit drug operations.
The Punch reported that the suspects are identified as alleged drug kingpin Nnamuka Uchenna, popularly known as Odogwu, alongside Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the declaration followed an order granted by Justice Iniekenimi Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Owerri after an application filed by the agency in suit number FHC/OW/CS/22/2026 on July 3.
Babafemi said the court order stemmed from the discovery of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, on February 25, 2026.
During the operation, NDLEA operatives recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and other exhibits, while further investigations allegedly connected the four suspects to the illegal drug facility.
“The suspects have since gone into hiding,” the statement said.
The agency further disclosed that forensic investigations uncovered bank accounts linked to the suspects, leading to the freezing of funds amounting to N9,840,873,566.66.
“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.
Babafemi also revealed that the agency obtained interim forfeiture orders on assets believed to be connected to the syndicate.
The assets include a filling station, several multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles bearing registration numbers RLU 148 AJ, KJA 563 FZ, BWR 249 DY and FST 208 HU.
Commenting on the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the operation reflects the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking syndicates and disrupting the financial networks that sustain them.
He said the discovery of the methamphetamine laboratory, the freezing of nearly N10bn in suspected illicit funds and the seizure of valuable assets demonstrate the agency’s determination to ensure drug traffickers have no safe haven to conceal or launder criminal proceeds.
Marwa assured Nigerians that the agency would continue to deploy financial and forensic intelligence to track down the fleeing suspects and anyone linked to the syndicate.
He also appealed to members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of the suspects to report to the nearest NDLEA office or through the agency’s confidential communication channels.
