NDLEA DECLARES DRUG KINGPIN, THREE ASSOCIATES WANTED OVER METH LAB, N9.8BN ASSETS

NDLEA DECLARES DRUG KINGPIN, THREE ASSOCIATES WANTED OVER METH LAB, N9.8BN ASSETS

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared a suspected drug kingpin and three associates wanted over alleged involvement in the establishment of a clandestine laboratory, production of methamphetamine and drug money laundering.

The suspects were declared wanted following an order of the Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State.

According to the NDLEA, the development followed the discovery of a methamphetamine-producing laboratory in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, where operatives recovered 18.4 kilogrammes of the illicit substance and other items on February 25, 2026.

The agency said investigations later linked the wanted suspects to the illegal operation, but they have since gone into hiding.

The NDLEA disclosed that bank accounts connected to the suspects, with a combined balance of N9.84 billion, have been frozen.

The affected accounts reportedly contained a total sum of N9,840,873,566.66.

The agency added that it has secured interim forfeiture orders covering multi-billion-naira assets allegedly belonging to members of the syndicate.

The assets include a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles.

NDLEA said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspects and bring them to justice.