Nigerian Billionaire ‘Drug Baron’ Nabbed In Switzerland

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), working in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) Lagos Country Office and law enforcement agencies from Switzerland, France, and Greece, have dismantled a transnational criminal organisation allegedly involved in laundering hundreds of billions of naira in drug proceeds across Europe and Nigeria.

The operation led to the arrest of an alleged billionaire drug baron, Amadi Simon in Switzerland, alongside two suspected female accomplices identified as 34-year-old Jecinta Amara Ikechi and 28-year-old Blessing Ngozi Amadi.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the coordinated arrests followed months of intelligence gathering and investigations spanning multiple countries.

According to the agency, Ikechi was arrested in Anambra State, while Blessing Amadi was apprehended in Agbor, Delta State, during simultaneous operations carried out on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Babafemi said investigations linked the suspects to the laundering of proceeds from drug trafficking and other financial crimes running into hundreds of billions of naira.

He explained that the criminal network allegedly operated through a web of shell companies, proxies, cryptocurrency wallets, and multiple bank accounts used to conceal illicit funds.

The anti-narcotics agency further revealed that several high-value properties linked to the syndicate had been identified as suspected proceeds of illicit drug transactions.

The properties include Jovi Hotel located at 1 Isiayei Street, GRA Phase 1, Asaba, Delta State; Jovi Hotel and Suites situated at 4 Orikeze by Deeper Life Road, Agbor, Delta State; and Jovi Apartment at Jamieson Court, Mabushi, Abuja.

Babafemi added that multiple bank accounts and cryptocurrency addresses allegedly used by the cartel to move and conceal illicit funds had also been identified and frozen.

Reacting to the development, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, retired Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the success of the operation demonstrated the agency’s resolve to combat narcotics trafficking and associated financial crimes.

Marwa noted that the operation sent a strong signal that Nigeria would not serve as a safe haven for drug traffickers or their illicit financial networks.

He commended the support of the US-DEA and other international partners in dismantling the syndicate, adding that the collaboration had strengthened intelligence sharing, evidence gathering, case management, and tactical operations.

“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.

He assured that the agency would continue to deepen cooperation with international partners to combat transnational organised crime and protect Nigeria’s economic and security interests.(Daily trust)