The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says a suspected Nigerian drug trafficking financier, Amadi Simon, has been arrested in Switzerland following a joint international investigation involving the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and European security agencies.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed in a statement that the operation also led to the arrest of two other suspects, Jecinta Amara Ikechi in Anambra State and Blessing Ngozi Amadi in Delta State.
According to the agency, the arrests followed months of intelligence gathering and cross-border investigations into alleged drug-related financial crimes and money laundering activities spanning multiple jurisdictions.
The NDLEA alleged that the network used shell companies, cryptocurrency platforms and multiple bank accounts to conceal and transfer suspected proceeds of illicit drug operations.
The agency said investigators also identified several properties in Nigeria allegedly linked to the suspects, including hotels and residential apartments in Delta State and Abuja. Authorities added that bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets connected to the investigation have been frozen pending further inquiries.
NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa described the operation as a significant development in efforts to combat international drug trafficking and related financial crimes.
He said the agency would continue collaborating with global partners to strengthen intelligence sharing and disrupt transnational criminal networks.
