National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State and frozen bank accounts containing over N9.8 billion allegedly linked to four suspected members of a drug syndicate.
Gatekeepers News reports that the agency also declared the suspects wanted after obtaining a court order from the Federal High Court in Owerri.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the suspects are Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.
They are accused of operating the illegal methamphetamine laboratory uncovered on February 25 at Isiozi, Umuaka, in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State. During the operation, NDLEA operatives recovered 18.4 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and other materials used in the production of the illicit drug.
The agency said investigations revealed that the suspects fled after the laboratory was uncovered. Further forensic investigations led to the freezing of bank accounts with a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66.
NDLEA also secured interim forfeiture orders covering several assets allegedly linked to the syndicate, including a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the operation underscores the agency’s determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks and seize proceeds from the illicit trade. He vowed that the agency would continue deploying financial and forensic intelligence to track down the fleeing suspects and confiscate assets acquired through drug trafficking.
