The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared four suspected members of an alleged drug trafficking syndicate wanted following the discovery of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State.
The agency identified the suspects as Nnamuka Uchenna, popularly known as Odogwu, Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley, and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga. The declaration followed a court order issued by Justice Iniekenimi Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Owerri after an application filed by the NDLEA in suit number FHC/OW/CS/22/2026.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the suspects are believed to be linked to a secret methamphetamine production facility uncovered on February 25, 2026, at Isiozi, Umuaka, in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.
Babafemi said NDLEA operatives recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine along with other incriminating items during the operation. He added that investigations connected the four suspects to the illegal drug laboratory, but they have since gone into hiding.
The agency also revealed that financial investigations led to the freezing of bank accounts allegedly linked to the suspects, with a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66. According to the NDLEA, the funds are believed to be proceeds of illicit drug activities.
In addition, the agency obtained interim forfeiture orders covering several assets allegedly connected to the syndicate. These include a filling station, 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.
Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), said the operation reflects the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks by targeting both their operations and financial structures.
Marwa said the discovery of the methamphetamine laboratory, the freezing of nearly N10 billion in suspected illicit funds and the seizure of high-value assets demonstrate that drug traffickers will no longer find safe channels to conceal or launder proceeds of crime. He also appealed to Nigerians with credible information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspects to report to the nearest NDLEA office or use the agency’s confidential communication channels.
