Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, working alongside the Drug Enforcement Administration and European law enforcement authorities, have arrested a suspected Nigerian billionaire drug trafficker, Amadi Simon, in Switzerland over alleged international drug money laundering activities.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, who said the arrest followed an extensive multinational investigation spanning several months.
The agency said coordinated operations carried out across multiple locations also led to the arrest of two alleged members of the network - Jecinta Amara Ikechi in Anambra State and Blessing Ngozi Amadi in Agbor.
According to the NDLEA, investigators uncovered what it described as a sophisticated global financial network allegedly used to launder proceeds of drug trafficking and other illicit transactions amounting to hundreds of billions of naira.
The statement noted that the syndicate allegedly moved funds through shell companies, cryptocurrency channels and several bank accounts spread across different countries.
Investigators also traced luxury assets believed to be linked to the suspected drug baron and his associates.
Among the properties identified are Jovi Hotel, Jovi Hotel and Suites and Jovi Apartment.
The anti-drug agency added that bank accounts and digital wallets connected to the alleged operation had been frozen as investigations continue.
Chairman of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the operation as a significant success in the fight against transnational drug trafficking and organised financial crimes.
He said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of collaboration between Nigerian authorities and international partners in dismantling criminal networks operating across borders.
Marwa further stated that the agency would sustain efforts to ensure Nigeria is not used as a base for drug cartels and illicit financial activities.
He also commended the support of the US-DEA and European security agencies, noting that intelligence sharing and joint enforcement operations were instrumental to the arrests.
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