The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Swiss-based drug lord identified as Amadi Simon, alongside his co-conspirators Jecinta Amara Ikechi and Blessing Ngozi Amadi in Anambra and Delta States, respectively, during a well-cordinated Transnational sting operation. The development was disclosed in a Thursday statement signed by the……
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Swiss-based drug lord identified as Amadi Simon, alongside his co-conspirators Jecinta Amara Ikechi and Blessing Ngozi Amadi in Anambra and Delta States, respectively, during a well-cordinated Transnational sting operation.
The development was disclosed in a Thursday statement signed by the NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
The statement read, “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 Tuesday, 28th April 2026.
“This followed months of intelligence and investigations across multiple jurisdictions linking Amadi to the laundering of hundreds of billions of Naira in proceeds of drug and financial crimes.”
According to the statement, the operation was carried out in coordination with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Lagos Country Office, and law enforcement partners from Switzerland, France, and Greece, to successfully dismantle the Transnational Criminal Organisation involved in drug money laundering operations running into hundreds of billions of Naira across Europe and Nigeria.
The agency said the syndicate allegedly operated a complex financial network used to move and conceal proceeds of drug trafficking through shell companies, cryptocurrency wallets and multiple bank accounts across different countries.
Investigators also traced several luxury properties in Nigeria and overseas, allegedly linked to the suspect and his associates.
The statement added, “In addition to the arrest of the suspects, the NDLEA, in collaboration with its international law enforcement partners, has also traced multi-billion assets linked to Amadi’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 the use of numerous traditional and cryptocurrency accounts to conceal and launder illicit funds.”
Properties linked to the suspects include Jovi Hotel at 1 Isiayei Street, GRA Phase 1, in Asaba, Delta State, Jovi Hotel and Suites at 4 Orikeze by Deeper Life Road, Agbor, Delta State, and Jovi Apartment at Jamieson Court, Mabushi, Abuja.
Speaking on the coordinated efforts of the NDLEA, the United States DEA, and other international partners, NDLEA boss Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd) 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.”
He expressed gratitude for the support received from the US-DEA to crack down and dismantle Amadi’s transnational criminal network.
Marwa disclosed that the U.S. Mission to 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 NDLEA will continue to expand its cooperation with the United States and other international partners.
“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”, Marwa stated.
