NDLEA, US-DEA, others smash drug ring led by Nigerians in Switzerland, Nigeria

A global operation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA), and others has led to the smashing of a drug ring led by a Nigerian in Switzerland and two ladies in different states in Nigeria.

According to available information, law enforcement partners of the NDLEA from Switzerland, France, and Greece were also involved.

Operatives of a Special Operations Unit of the NDLEA, those of the US-DEA Lagos Country Office, and partners from Switzerland, France, and Greece successfully dismantled the Transnational Criminal Organisation involved in drug money laundering operations running into hundreds of billions of Naira across Europe and Nigeria.

The multi-country investigation into the drug money laundering operations culminated in the well-coordinated simultaneous arrest of a billionaire drug baron, Amadi Simon, in Switzerland, and his co-conspirators: 34-year-old Jecinta Amara Ikechi in Anambra State, and 28-year-old Blessing Ngozi Amadi in Agbor, Delta State on April 28, 2026.

This followed months of intelligence and investigations across multiple jurisdictions linking Simon to the laundering of hundreds of billions of Naira in proceeds of drug and financial crimes.

In addition to the arrest of the suspects, the NDLEA, in collaboration with its international law enforcement partners, also traced multi-billion assets linked to Simon’s transnational criminal network in Nigeria and abroad.

His operations in Nigeria included a complex scheme of front and shell companies; pass-throughs and delegates; and use of numerous traditional and cryptocurrency accounts to conceal and launder illicit funds.

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Properties already identified and linked to Simon as proceeds of illicit drug funds include: Jovi Hotel at 1, Isiayei Street, GRA Phase1, Asaba, Delta State; Jovi Hotel and Suites at 4, Orikeze by Deeper Life Road, Agbor, Delta State; as well as Jovi Apartment at Jamieson Court Mabushi, Abuja, while several bank accounts and crypto currency addresses used by the cartel to conceal hundreds of billions of illicit funds have also been identified and blocked.

Speaking on the coordinated efforts of the NDLEA, US-DEA, and other international partners, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the success of the multi-country and multi-year operations has sent a clear message that the NDLEA maintains “a zero-tolerance policy toward crimes that jeopardise the safety of the Nigerian people, the integrity of our national reputation, and the stability of our economy”.

Marwa expressed gratitude for the support received from the US-DEA to crack and dismantle Simon’s transnational criminal network.

He added that the US Mission in Nigeria has continued to partner with the Agency to combat narcotics trafficking through training in intelligence, evidence collection, case management, and tactical operations as well as the provision of critical equipment.

He assured that the NDLEA will continue to expand its cooperation with the United States and other international partners.

He said: “The NDLEA remains relentless in its pursuit of those involved in narcotics trafficking and associated financial crimes, regardless of where they attempt to hide.

“Built upon a foundation of strategic partnership, unwavering integrity, and dedicated professionalism, the NDLEA is committed to ensuring that Nigeria is neither a haven for drug traffickers who profit from illicit substances nor a sanctuary for their criminal proceeds.”

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