NDLEA arrests billionaire drug baron in Switzerland
NDLEA Dismantles Transnational Drug Money Laundering Network
LAGOS, Nigeria — Operatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and law enforcement agencies in Switzerland, France, and Greece, have successfully dismantled a transnational criminal organization involved in extensive drug money laundering operations, reportedly amounting to hundreds of billions of naira across Europe and Nigeria.
The operation culminated in the simultaneous arrests on April 28, 2026, of billionaire drug baron Amadi Simon in Switzerland and two alleged co-conspirators: 34-year-old Jecinta Amara Ikechi in Anambra State and 28-year-old Blessing Ngozi Amadi in Agbor, Delta State.
Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, announced the arrests in a statement on Thursday, noting that the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and investigations linking Amadi to significant money laundering activities associated with drug and financial crimes.
Alongside the arrests, NDLEA agents, working with international partners, have identified and traced multi-billion naira assets linked to Amadi’s criminal activities both in Nigeria and abroad.
Among the properties linked to Amadi are Jovi Hotel on Isiayei Street in Asaba, Jovi Hotel and Suites in Agbor, and a Jovi Apartment located in Mabushi, Abuja. In addition, various bank accounts and cryptocurrency addresses utilized by the cartel to manage and conceal illicit funds have been identified and blocked.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, emphasized the coordinated efforts of the agency and its international partners. He remarked that the success of this multi-national investigation highlights NDLEA’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy for crimes that threaten the safety of Nigerians and the nation’s economic stability.
Marwa expressed gratitude for the support from the DEA, highlighting ongoing partnerships aimed at combating narcotics trafficking through training in intelligence gathering, evidence collection, case management, and tactical operations, as well as the provision of essential equipment.
“The NDLEA remains relentless in its pursuit of those involved in narcotics trafficking and associated financial crimes, regardless of where they attempt to hide,” Marwa stated.
