The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), working in close collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) and other international law enforcement agencies, has dismantled a major transnational drug trafficking and money laundering syndicate operating across Europe and Nigeria.
The operation, described as a coordinated multi-country sting, led to the arrest of alleged billionaire drug baron, Amadi Simon, in Switzerland, alongside two female accomplices identified as 34-year-old Jecinta Amara Ikechi and 28-year-old Blessing Ngozi Amadi.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that Jecinta was arrested in Anambra State while Blessing was apprehended in Agbor, Delta State, during simultaneous operations carried out on April 28, 2026.
According to the agency, the arrests followed months of intelligence gathering and investigations involving law enforcement authorities from Switzerland, France, Greece, and Nigeria, which linked the suspects to the laundering of hundreds of billions of naira derived from drug trafficking and other financial crimes.
Investigators also uncovered a sophisticated money laundering network allegedly operated by the syndicate through shell companies, proxy accounts, cryptocurrency wallets, and multiple financial channels used to conceal illicit proceeds.
The NDLEA said several high-value assets tied to the criminal network have been identified and traced to the suspects. The properties include Jovi Hotel located at 1 Isiayei Street, GRA Phase 1, Asaba, Delta State; Jovi Hotel and Suites along Orikeze by Deeper Life Road, Agbor, Delta State; and Jovi Apartment at Jamieson Court, Mabushi, Abuja.
The anti-narcotics agency further revealed that multiple bank accounts and cryptocurrency addresses allegedly used by the cartel to move and hide illicit funds have been blocked.
Speaking on the breakthrough,
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the successful operation underscored the agency’s zero-tolerance stance against narcotics trafficking and financial crimes.
Marwa noted that the operation sends a strong warning to criminal networks that Nigeria will not serve as a safe haven for drug traffickers or their illicit wealth.
“The NDLEA remains relentless in its pursuit of those involved in narcotics trafficking and associated financial crimes, regardless of where they attempt to hide,” he said.
He also commended the support of the US-DEA and other international partners, noting that ongoing cooperation in intelligence sharing, training, evidence collection, tactical operations, and provision of equipment has strengthened Nigeria’s anti-drug war.
Marwa assured that the agency would continue expanding collaboration with international partners to combat global narcotics trafficking and related crimes.
