Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and security agencies across Europe, have arrested a suspected Nigerian billionaire drug baron, Amadi Simon, in Switzerland over an alleged international drug money laundering operation.
The NDLEA disclosed the development in a statement released on Thursday by its spokesman, Femi Babafemi. According to the agency, the arrest followed months of coordinated intelligence gathering and investigations spanning several countries.
Babafemi said the operation led to the simultaneous arrest of Simon in Switzerland and two alleged accomplices in Nigeria. The suspects identified in Nigeria are 34-year-old Jecinta Amara Ikechi, arrested in Anambra State, and 28-year-old Blessing Ngozi Amadi, apprehended in Agbor, Delta State.
The coordinated arrests were carried out on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, as part of what authorities described as a major crackdown on a sophisticated international criminal network linked to drug trafficking and financial crimes.
According to the NDLEA, investigators uncovered evidence allegedly connecting Simon and his associates to the laundering of hundreds of billions of naira believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking and other illicit activities.
The agency stated that the syndicate allegedly operated an extensive financial structure designed to conceal and transfer illegal proceeds through various channels. These reportedly included shell companies, cryptocurrency wallets and multiple bank accounts spread across different countries.
Authorities said the network used complex financial transactions to disguise the origin of funds and move money across international borders without detection. The operation reportedly involved several jurisdictions and required extensive cooperation among law enforcement agencies from different countries.
As part of the investigation, NDLEA operatives also traced several luxury properties in Nigeria allegedly linked to the suspects and their operations. Among the properties identified were Jovi Hotel in Asaba, Jovi Hotel and Suites in Agbor, Delta State, and Jovi Apartment located in the Mabushi area of Abuja.
The anti-narcotics agency said the properties are currently under investigation as authorities work to determine the extent of their connection to the alleged laundering activities. Investigators are also examining financial records and ownership structures associated with the assets.
In addition to the properties, the NDLEA disclosed that several bank accounts and cryptocurrency addresses connected to the alleged network had been frozen. The move, according to the agency, is intended to prevent further movement of suspected illicit funds while investigations continue.
Officials said financial investigators are collaborating with international partners to track the flow of money and identify additional individuals or entities linked to the operation. Authorities believe more arrests could follow as inquiries progress.
Chairman of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the operation as a significant breakthrough in the fight against international drug trafficking and financial crimes.
Marwa said the success of the operation demonstrated the growing effectiveness of cross-border cooperation among anti-drug and law enforcement agencies. He noted that intelligence sharing and joint investigative efforts played a critical role in dismantling the alleged criminal network.
The NDLEA chairman also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria does not become a safe haven for drug cartels or illicit financial operations. He said the agency would continue strengthening partnerships with global security institutions to combat transnational organised crime.
Marwa commended the support provided by the US DEA and European security agencies involved in the operation. He added that international collaboration remains essential in tackling increasingly sophisticated criminal enterprises operating across multiple countries.
The latest development comes amid ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to intensify enforcement against drug trafficking networks and associated financial crimes. In recent years, the NDLEA has expanded its operations targeting narcotics syndicates, money laundering activities and the use of digital financial systems to conceal criminal proceeds.
The agency has repeatedly warned that criminal organisations are increasingly turning to cryptocurrency platforms and complex international financial arrangements to evade detection. Authorities say such methods present new challenges for investigators but have also prompted stronger international cooperation and improved intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
Investigations into the alleged network involving Simon and his associates are ongoing, with authorities expected to continue asset tracing and financial analysis in multiple jurisdictions.
