The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 30-year-old businessman based in Italy after he allegedly ingested 98 wraps of cocaine in an attempt to smuggle the drug out of Nigeria.
The suspect, identified as Joseph Cyril, was arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, while undergoing outward clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Europe on August 2, 2026.
According to the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the suspect was placed under excretion observation following his arrest and subsequently expelled 98 wraps containing 1.510 kilogrammes of cocaine.
Babafemi said investigation showed that Cyril had travelled from Italy to Nigeria on July 13 and allegedly swallowed the cocaine at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before heading to Enugu to catch his flight.
The NDLEA spokesman said the suspect admitted agreeing to transport the consignment for €3,500, explaining that he intended to use the money to support his planned relocation to Germany, where his family resides.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Lagos stopped two separate attempts to export cocaine concealed in seemingly ordinary items. One consignment contained 1.2kg of cocaine hidden inside 25 phone chargers destined for Saudi Arabia, while another 500g was concealed in the false bottom of a backpack bound for Italy.
The agency also intercepted 2.3kg of Loud, a potent cannabis strain, in a shipment arriving from the United States at a Lagos logistics company.
In another operation, NDLEA officers patrolling the Akure-Ilesha Expressway intercepted a truck allegedly conveying 1,633kg of skunk concealed in bags of rice chaff. Two men, Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30, were arrested in connection with the consignment.
The agency also recovered 147kg of skunk from the Ita Ogbolu forest during a raid on August 3, while operatives in Oyo State seized 731.03kg of cannabis from a suspected drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area.
A 57-year-old suspect, Felicia Thompson, was arrested during the Oyo operation, while her alleged associate, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, reportedly escaped and remained at large.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives, backed by soldiers, recovered 604.5kg of skunk packed in 65 jumbo bags during a raid at Ewe Luleha, Owan West Local Government Area.
In Abia State, officers arrested a suspected drug joint operator, 31-year-old Chibuike Charles, during a raid at Samec by Powerline Base, Osisioma Local Government Area, recovering 7kg of skunk.
The agency also announced the arrest of a wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, at the Fibre Market drug area in Badagry, Lagos, following a three-month manhunt. NDLEA said 88.5kg of skunk was recovered from him.
At the Tin Can Island Port Complex, Lagos, NDLEA operatives working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies intercepted 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 309.4kg.
A suspect, Larry Nnaji, was arrested in connection with the seizure.This version uses a more original lead and structure, reduces repetition from the source and keeps the tone suitable for a Nigerian newspaper report.
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