By Ado Oyeyemi
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 30-year-old businessman based in Italy after he allegedly ingested 98 wraps of cocaine in an attempt to smuggle the substance out of Nigeria.
The suspect, identified as Joseph Cyril, was arrested at the departure hall of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, while undergoing clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Europe.
The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to Babafemi, the suspect was arrested on August 2, 2026, and subsequently placed under observation until he expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes.
Babafemi said investigations showed that Cyril 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 catch his flight.
The agency said the suspect admitted agreeing to transport the consignment in exchange for €3,500.
He reportedly told investigators that he had been doing business in Italy for several years and intended to use the money to finance his relocation to Germany, where members of his family reside.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Lagos have intercepted several consignments of cocaine and cannabis allegedly destined for foreign countries.
The agency said 1.2kg of cocaine concealed in 25 phone chargers and packaged for shipment to Saudi Arabia was intercepted at a courier company in Lagos.
Another 500g consignment of cocaine allegedly concealed in the false bottom of a backpack and destined for Italy was also intercepted at a separate logistics company.
The NDLEA further reported the seizure of 2.3kg of Loud, a potent cannabis strain, imported from the United States. The consignment was intercepted at another shipping company in Lagos.
In Ondo State, officers patrolling the Akure-Ilesha Expressway intercepted a truck allegedly transporting 1,633kg of skunk concealed inside bags of rice chaff.
Two men, identified as 40-year-old Buba Jamilu and 30-year-old Sanusi Ibrahim, were arrested in connection with the consignment.
The agency also said 147kg of skunk was recovered during a raid on the Ita Ogbolu forest on August 3.
In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a suspected drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, where 731.03kg of cannabis was recovered.
A 57-year-old woman, Felicia Thompson, was arrested during the operation, while the agency said her alleged associate, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, remained at large.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives, assisted by soldiers, recovered 604.5kg of skunk packed in 65 jumbo bags during a raid at Ewe Luleha in Owan West Local Government Area.
In Abia State, the agency arrested a 31-year-old suspected drug joint operator, Chibuike Charles, during a raid at Samec by Powerline Base in Osisioma Local Government Area.
About 7kg of skunk was reportedly recovered from the location.
The agency also announced the arrest of a wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, in Badagry, Lagos, after a three-month manhunt.
NDLEA said 88.5kg of skunk was recovered from Sikuru at the time of his arrest at the Fibre Market drug area.
At the Tin Can Island Port Complex in Lagos, NDLEA officers working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies discovered 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 309.4kg.
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A suspect identified as Larry Nnaji was arrested in connection with the seizure.
The NDLEA said investigations into the various seizures and arrests were ongoing.
