The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, Joseph Cyril, for allegedly ingesting 98 wraps of cocaine while attempting to travel to Europe through Enugu.
Cyril was arrested on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the departure hall of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, during the outward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Addis Ababa.
He was subsequently placed under observation, during which he excreted 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes.
According to the NDLEA, investigations showed that the suspect arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13 and allegedly ingested the drugs at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu to board his flight.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he had been doing business in Italy for several years before agreeing to traffic the consignment for €3,500. He allegedly said he intended to use the money to facilitate his relocation to Germany, where his family resides.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Lagos foiled attempts by drug traffickers to export 1.2kg of cocaine concealed in 25 phone chargers destined for Saudi Arabia.
In a separate operation on August 3, operatives intercepted another 500g of cocaine concealed in the false bottom of a backpack and destined for Italy. They also recovered 2.3kg of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, allegedly shipped from the United States.
In Ondo State, NDLEA officers on patrol along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway intercepted a truck conveying 1,633kg of skunk concealed in bags of rice shafts. Two suspects, Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30, were arrested.
The agency also recovered 147kg of skunk from Ita Ogbolu Forest during a raid on August 3.
In Oyo State, operatives raided a drug warehouse at Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, recovering 731.03kg of illicit drugs and arresting a 57-year-old suspect, Felicia Thompson. Her alleged partner, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, is reportedly at large.
In Edo State, soldiers and NDLEA operatives recovered 604.5kg of skunk contained in 65 jumbo bags at Ewe Luleha, Owan West Local Government Area.
In Abia State, a suspected drug joint operator, 31-year-old Chibuike Charles, was arrested during a raid at Samec by Powerline base in Osisioma Local Government Area, where 7kg of skunk was recovered.
Similarly, a wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, was arrested at the Fibre Market drug jungle in Badagry, Lagos, on August 8, following a three-month manhunt. Operatives recovered 88.5kg of skunk from him.
At the TinCan Island Port Complex, Lagos, NDLEA operatives, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, discovered 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 309.4kg during the examination of a 40-foot container.
A suspect, Larry Nnaji, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns across the country, targeting schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.
The activities included enlightenment lectures at Islamic High School, Saki, Oyo State; Holy Ghost Academy, Nkpor, Anambra State; and Madarasatul Hidayatul Aulad Islamiyya, Gaya, Kano State.
The Rivers State Command also visited the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, for a WADA advocacy engagement.
Commending officers and personnel of the DOGI, AIIA, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Abia, Seme and TinCan Commands for the operations, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged personnel across the country to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.