The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and European partners, has dismantled a major transnational drug money laundering syndicate linked to hundreds of billions of naira in illicit proceeds. The joint operation led to the arrest of an alleged billionaire drug baron and two suspected female kingpins.
According to statements released by the NDLEA, the multi country sting involved the US DEA Lagos Country Office and law enforcement agencies from Switzerland, France and Greece. Months of intelligence led investigations uncovered a complex network used to launder drug proceeds through front companies, shell firms, pass through bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets.
The operation culminated in the arrest of the suspected cartel boss, identified as billionaire businessman Amadi Simon, in Switzerland. His alleged accomplices, 34 year old Jecinta Amara Ikechi and 28 year old Blessing Ngozi Amadi, were picked up in coordinated raids in Anambra and Delta States on April 28, 2026.
NDLEA operatives also intercepted consignments of narcotics valued at about N6.4 billion and seized several high end properties believed to have been acquired with laundered drug funds. Among the assets listed are the Jovi Hotel in Asaba, Jovi Hotel and Suites in Agbor, Delta State, and the Jovi Apartment complex in the Mabushi district of Abuja.
In addition, numerous bank accounts and cryptocurrency addresses linked to the syndicate have been traced and frozen as part of ongoing efforts to recover criminal proceeds. Investigators say the network moved money across Europe and Nigeria, disguising the origin of funds from large scale cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Brig Gen Buba Marwa (retd.) hailed the operation as a landmark success in the fight against narco terrorism and drug related financial crimes. He said the bust sends a clear message that Nigeria and its partners are determined to dismantle high level cartels and their financial infrastructure.
The arrests follow recent moves by NDLEA and the US DEA to deepen cooperation on intelligence sharing, joint operations and specialised training to target drug money flows and kingpins rather than just street dealers. Further investigations and possible prosecutions of suspects both in Nigeria and abroad are ongoing.
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