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 weighing 1.510 kilograms at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu.
Cyril was arrested at the airport’s departure hall on Sunday, August 2, 2026, during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930, en route to Italy through Addis Ababa and France.
The NDLEA, in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the suspect was subsequently placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510kg.
According to the agency, investigations revealed that Cyril arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13 and allegedly ingested the drug at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu to board his flight to Europe.
In his statement to investigators, the suspect reportedly said he had been doing business in Italy for several years before agreeing to traffic the consignment for €3,500.
He allegedly told investigators that he intended to use the proceeds to raise money to relocate to Germany, where his family is based.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives foiled separate attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to export cocaine concealed in various items.
The agency said 1.2kg of cocaine concealed in 25 phone chargers and destined for Saudi Arabia was intercepted at a courier company in Lagos.
A similar attempt to send 500 grammes of cocaine concealed in the false bottom of a backpack to Italy was also thwarted at another logistics company on Monday, August 3.
On Tuesday, August 4, NDLEA officers intercepted a consignment of 2.3kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, shipped from the United States through another logistics company in Lagos.
Meanwhile, operatives on patrol along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway in Ondo State intercepted a truck heading north with 1,633kg of skunk allegedly concealed in bags of rice shafts.
Two suspects, Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30, were arrested in connection with the consignment.
The agency also said 147kg of skunk was recovered from Ita Ogbolu Forest during a raid conducted on Monday, August 3.
In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence raided a drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, on August 3.
The operation led to the recovery of 731.03kg of illicit drugs and the arrest of a 57-year-old suspect, Felicia Thompson, while her alleged partner, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, remains at large.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives, supported by soldiers, recovered 604.5kg of skunk packed in 65 jumbo bags at Ewe Luleha, Owan West Local Government Area, on August 5.
In Abia State, a 31-year-old drug joint operator, Chibuike Charles, was arrested during a raid at his Samec by Powerline base in Osisioma LGA on August 6, with 7kg of skunk recovered.
Also, a wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, was arrested on Saturday, August 8, at the Fibre Market drug jungle in Badagry, Lagos, after a three-month manhunt.
The NDLEA said 88.5kg of skunk was recovered from Sikuru at the time of his arrest.
At the Tincan Port Complex in Lagos, NDLEA officers, 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 on August 4.
A suspect, Larry Nnaji, has been arrested in connection with the seizure.
The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaigns across the country during the week, targeting schools, religious institutions, workplaces and communities.
Among the beneficiaries were students and staff of Islamic High School, Saki, and Holy Ghost Academy, Nkpor, Anambra State, as well as Madarasatul Hidayatul Aulad Islamiyya, Gaya, Kano State.
The Rivers State Command also paid a WADA advocacy visit to the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt.
Commending officers involved in the various operations, 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.
Marwa commended the officers and men of DOGI, AIIA, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Abia, Seme and Tincan Commands for their successful operations and urged them to remain committed to disrupting drug trafficking and preventing substance abuse.
