The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared four individuals wanted in connection with a secret methamphetamine production facility discovered in Imo State.

The primary suspect is Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, described as a drug kingpin, along with his alleged associates: Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley, and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke (also known as Ekene Okwunaga).

According to a statement issued on Friday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the declaration was authorized by a Federal High Court judge in Owerri following an application by the agency.

The meth lab was raided on February 25 at Isiozi, Umuaka, in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.

Operatives recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and other incriminating items from the site.
The suspects have reportedly gone into hiding. Through forensic investigations, the NDLEA froze bank accounts linked to them containing a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66 (approximately N9.8 billion). The agency also secured interim forfeiture orders for assets, including:
• A filling station
• Multi-storey residential buildings
• Four SUVs with registration numbers: RLU 148 AJ, KJA 563 FZ, BWR 249 DY, and FST 208 HU.

NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa emphasized that the operation demonstrates the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug networks by targeting both their operations and financial infrastructure.

He vowed to pursue the fugitives relentlessly using financial and forensic intelligence, stating that drug trafficking is no longer a safe avenue for laundering illicit wealth.

This development comes as part of ongoing efforts to combat sophisticated drug syndicates in Nigeria.

Photo credit: NDLEA