The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared four suspected members of an alleged drug trafficking syndicate wanted over their purported involvement in operating an illegal methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State and laundering proceeds from illicit drug activities.
The agency identified the wanted persons as alleged kingpin Nnamuka Uchenna, popularly known as Odogwu, alongside Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley, and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.
In a statement issued on Friday, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the declaration followed an order granted by Justice Iniekenimi Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Owerri.
The order was issued after the agency filed an application in suit number FHC/OW/CS/22/2026 on July 3.
According to the agency, the case stems from the discovery of a clandestine methamphetamine production facility at Isiozi, Umuaka, in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, during an operation carried out on February 25, 2026.
NDLEA operatives reportedly recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and other exhibits during the raid, while subsequent investigations allegedly linked the four suspects to the illegal operation.
The statement noted that all four suspects have since gone into hiding.
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Babafemi further disclosed that financial investigations conducted by the agency led to the freezing of bank accounts allegedly connected to the suspects, with a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66.
He also revealed that the NDLEA obtained interim forfeiture orders covering several assets believed to be proceeds of the suspected drug enterprise.
The assets 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.
Commenting on the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the operation reflects the agency’s commitment to dismantling organised drug trafficking networks by targeting both their operations and financial resources.
Marwa stated that the discovery of the methamphetamine laboratory, the freezing of nearly N10 billion allegedly linked to the syndicate, and the seizure of high-value assets demonstrate the agency’s resolve to deny drug traffickers the opportunity to profit from criminal activities.
He assured that the NDLEA would continue to deploy forensic and financial intelligence to track down the fleeing suspects and others connected to the alleged syndicate.
The agency also urged members of the public with credible information on the whereabouts of the wanted individuals to report to the nearest NDLEA office or use its confidential reporting channels.
