Nigerian Business Mogul Held For drug trafficking
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, working with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and security agencies from Europe, have arrested a suspected Nigerian billionaire drug baron in Switzerland over alleged international drug money laundering activities.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, working with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and security agencies from Europe, have arrested a suspected Nigerian billionaire drug baron in Switzerland over alleged international drug money laundering activities.
Operatives of the security agencies arrested the suspect whose name was given as Simon Amadi, according to a statement by the NDLEA.
According to the Spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, the development occured on Thursday.
Babafemi said, “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."
He further said that 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.
He further noted that investigators also traced several luxury properties in Nigeria allegedly linked to the suspect and his associates.
The properties include Jovi Hotel in Asaba, Jovi Hotel and Suites in Agbor, Delta State, as well as Jovi Apartment in Mabushi, Abuja.
The agency added that bank accounts and cryptocurrency addresses connected to the network had been frozen as part of ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, rtd, has described the operation as a major breakthrough against international drug trafficking and financial crimes.
Marwa said the agency would continue to work with global partners to ensure Nigeria does not become a safe haven for drug cartels or illicit financial operations.
He also praised the support provided by the US-DEA and other international agencies, noting that intelligence sharing and joint operations played a key role in dismantling the network.
“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."
He further said that 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.
He further noted that investigators also traced several luxury properties in Nigeria allegedly linked to the suspect and his associates.
The properties include Jovi Hotel in Asaba, Jovi Hotel and Suites in Agbor, Delta State, as well as Jovi Apartment in Mabushi, Abuja.
The agency added that bank accounts and cryptocurrency addresses connected to the network had been frozen as part of ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, rtd, has described the operation as a major breakthrough against international drug trafficking and financial crimes.
Marwa said the agency would continue to work with global partners to ensure Nigeria does not become a safe haven for drug cartels or illicit financial operations.
He also praised the support provided by the US-DEA and other international agencies, noting that intelligence sharing and joint operations played a key role in dismantling the network.
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