A combined international operation involving Nigeria, the United States, Switzerland, France and Greece led to the arrest on April 28, 2026, of a billionaire drug kingpin in Switzerland and two female accomplices in Nigeria, following months of multi-jurisdictional investigations.
The Nigerian Drug Enforcement Administration (NDLEA) announced on Thursday, May 7, the dismantling of a transnational criminal organization specializing in laundering hundreds of billions of naira from drug trafficking across Europe and Nigeria.
The operation was conducted jointly with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and judicial partners in Switzerland, France and Greece.
The investigation led to the arrest on April 28, 2026, of drug kingpin Amadi Simon, apprehended in Switzerland, and his two alleged accomplices in Nigeria: Jecinta Amara Ikechi, 34, arrested in Anambra State, and Blessing Ngozi Amadi, 28, apprehended in Agbor, Delta State.
According to the statement by the NDLEA and made available to APA, the investigations established that Amadi Simon used an elaborate system of shell companies, front companies, nominees, and traditional and cryptocurrency bank accounts to conceal and launder the proceeds of his criminal activities.
The Assets already identified and seized include three hotels: The Jovi Hotel at 1 Isiayei Street, GRA Phase 1 in Asaba (Delta State); the Jovi Hotel and Suites at 4 Orikeze by Deeper Life Road in Agbor (Delta State); and the Jovi Apartment at Jamieson Court, Mabushi in Abuja. Several bank accounts and cryptocurrency addresses used by the cartel have also been identified and frozen.
The NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa hailed the success of this “multi-country, multi-year” operation, stating that it “sends a clear message” about the agency’s “zero tolerance” policy toward crimes that threaten “the security of the Nigerian people, the integrity of the national reputation, and the stability of the economy.”
“NDLEA remains relentless in its pursuit of those involved in drug trafficking and related financial crimes, wherever they may try to hide.” “Nigeria will be neither a haven for drug traffickers nor a sanctuary for their criminal proceeds,” he said.
Marwa also praised the partnership with the U.S. DEA, whose mission in Nigeria contributes to the fight against drugs through training in intelligence, evidence collection, case management and tactical operations as well as providing critical equipment.
AC/fss/gik/APA