The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared four suspected members of a major drug trafficking syndicate wanted over their alleged involvement in the operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State and an extensive drug money laundering network.
The agency identified the wanted suspects as Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, also known as Odogwu; Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka; Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley; and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, alias Ekene Okwunaga.
The declaration followed an order issued by Justice Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, after the NDLEA filed an application in Suit No. FHC/OW/CS/22/2026 on July 3, 2026.
According to the anti-narcotics agency, the suspects went into hiding after operatives uncovered a clandestine methamphetamine production laboratory at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State on February 25, 2026.
During the raid, NDLEA officers recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine alongside other equipment and materials used in the illicit production of the dangerous synthetic drug. Subsequent investigations allegedly linked the four suspects to the illegal laboratory.
The agency said extensive forensic and financial investigations into the syndicate also led to the freezing of bank accounts linked to the suspects, with a combined balance of ₦9,840,873,566.66.
In addition, the NDLEA obtained interim forfeiture orders covering several high-value assets allegedly acquired with proceeds of drug trafficking. The assets include a filling station, multiple multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) bearing registration numbers RLU 148 AJ, KJA 563 FZ, BWR 249 DY and FST 208 HU.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the operation as another significant breakthrough in the agency’s campaign against drug trafficking and illicit financial networks.
“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 discovery of the clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Njaba and the seizure of billions of naira in suspected illicit proceeds demonstrate the agency’s determination to dismantle criminal enterprises operating behind legitimate businesses.
“The discovery of this clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Njaba, and the subsequent freezing of nearly ten billion naira in illicit funds, alongside the forfeiture of a filling station, multi-storey buildings and four exotic SUVs, sends an unambiguous message that the illegal drug business is no longer a safe haven for criminals seeking to launder their ill-gotten wealth through legitimate enterprises,” he said.
Marwa assured Nigerians that the agency would continue to pursue the fleeing suspects and all other members of the syndicate until they are brought to justice.
“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, just as we will not hesitate to invoke the full weight of the law against fugitives who think they can hide from justice,” he stated.
The NDLEA boss also appealed to members of the public to assist security agencies with credible information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.
