Nigerian Billionaire Drug Baron Arrested in Switzerland

Amadi Simon, a Nigerian billionaire drug baron, was arrested in Switzerland as part of an international drug money laundering operation. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced the arrest on Thursday, with spokesman Femi Babafemi detailing the operation.

Alongside Amadi, two co-conspirators were apprehended: 34-year-old Jecinta Amara Ikechi from Anambra State and 28-year-old Bless Ngozi Amadi from Agbor, Delta State. The arrests occurred on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, following a month-long intelligence investigation across multiple jurisdictions.

The NDLEA stated that Amadi was involved in laundering hundreds of billions of naira linked to drug trafficking and financial crimes. The agency described the operation as a significant breakthrough in combating international drug trafficking and financial crime.

NDLEA Chairman Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd) emphasized the agency's commitment to ensuring Nigeria does not become a safe haven for drug cartels and illicit financial operations, praising the support from the U.S. DEA in dismantling the network.