NDLEA, DEA Bust Billionaire Drug Cartel in Global Sting Operation

NDLEA, DEA Bust Billionaire Drug Cartel in Global Sting Operation

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), working in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and law enforcement agencies from Switzerland, France, and Greece, have dismantled a transnational criminal organisation allegedly involved in drug trafficking and money laundering operations valued at hundreds of billions of naira across Nigeria and Europe.

The coordinated operation led to the arrest of a suspected billionaire drug kingpin, Amadi Simon, in Switzerland, alongside two alleged accomplices — 34-year-old Jecinta Amara Ikechi, arrested in Anambra State, and 28-year-old Blessing Ngozi Amadi, arrested in Agbor, Delta State. The arrests were carried out simultaneously on April 28 following months of intelligence-led investigations.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the operation was the result of extensive surveillance and cross-border intelligence sharing that linked the suspects to a sophisticated financial and drug trafficking network operating across multiple jurisdictions.

The investigation reportedly uncovered a complex laundering system involving shell companies, proxy accounts, pass-through transactions, and cryptocurrency platforms, all allegedly used to disguise and move illicit proceeds across continents.

Authorities also traced several high-value assets in Nigeria believed to be linked to the syndicate. These include Jovi Hotel in GRA Phase 1, Asaba, Jovi Hotel and Suites in Agbor, Delta State, and Jovi Apartment in Mabushi, Abuja, alongside frozen bank accounts and digital wallets suspected to have been used in laundering illicit funds.

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The NDLEA said the operation also led to the identification and blocking of multiple bank accounts and cryptocurrency addresses allegedly used to move and conceal funds running into hundreds of billions of naira.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Marwa (retd.), described the operation as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking and associated financial crimes.

He said the success of the multi-country operation demonstrated the effectiveness of international cooperation and reinforced the agency’s zero-tolerance stance against drug-related crimes that threaten national security and economic stability.

Marwa also expressed appreciation for the support of the US-DEA, noting that the partnership has strengthened Nigeria’s capacity in intelligence gathering, evidence collection, tactical operations, and forensic investigations.

He assured that the NDLEA would continue to deepen collaboration with international partners to track and dismantle drug trafficking networks wherever they operate.

According to him, “The NDLEA remains relentless in its pursuit of those involved in narcotics trafficking and associated financial crimes, regardless of where they attempt to hide,” stressing that Nigeria would not serve as a safe haven for drug traffickers or their illicit proceeds.

Investigations into the wider network are ongoing, with authorities indicating that more arrests and asset seizures may follow as intelligence continues to develop across multiple countries.

NDLEA, DEA Bust Billionaire Drug Cartel in Global Sting Operation