By By Elizabeth Ugbo
A 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, Joseph Cyril, was arrested by the NDLEA at Enugu Airport on Sunday, August 2, 2026, for ingesting 98 cocaine wraps bound for Italy through Addis Ababa and France. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency intercepted him during passenger clearance on an Ethiopian Airlines flight and recovered 1.510kg of cocaine after he excreted the wraps under observation.
NDLEA Arrests Suspect at Enugu Airport
NDLEA operatives arrested Cyril at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
The suspect had arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13, 2026.
Investigators said he ingested the cocaine at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State.
He later travelled to Enugu to board his flight to Europe.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he had operated a business in Italy for years.
However, he agreed to transport the cocaine for €3,500.
He said he wanted to raise money to relocate to Germany.
His family reportedly lives in Germany.
Cocaine Hidden in Phone Chargers and Backpack Intercepted
NDLEA operatives also stopped attempts to export cocaine through courier companies in Lagos.
In one operation, officers intercepted 1.2kg of cocaine hidden inside 25 phone chargers.
The consignment was heading to Saudi Arabia.
Similarly, officers stopped another attempt to send 500 grams of cocaine to Italy.
Traffickers concealed the drug inside a backpack with a false bottom.
The interception occurred at another logistics company on Monday, August 3.
Meanwhile, NDLEA officers intercepted 2.3kg of Loud in Lagos on August 4.
The synthetic cannabis consignment arrived from the United States.
NDLEA Seizes 1,633kg of Skunk in Ondo
The agency also recorded a major drug seizure in Ondo State.
NDLEA officers intercepted a truck along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway on August 4.
The truck was heading north when officers stopped it.
They found 1,633kg of skunk concealed inside bags of rice shafts.
Officers arrested two suspects during the operation.
They identified them as 40-year-old Buba Jamilu and 30-year-old Sanusi Ibrahim.
Additionally, NDLEA officers recovered 147kg of skunk from Ita Ogbolu Forest.
They carried out the forest raid on August 3.
NDLEA Recovers 731kg of Skunk in Oyo
In Oyo State, operatives raided a suspected drug warehouse.
The operation took place at Elebure village in Orire Local Government Area.
NDLEA officers acted on credible intelligence on August 3.
They recovered 731.03kg of skunk from the warehouse.
Officers also arrested 57-year-old Felicia Thompson.
However, her alleged partner, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, remains at large.
604.5kg of Skunk Recovered in Edo
NDLEA officers also recorded a major seizure in Edo State.
Officers, supported by soldiers, recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk.
The drugs weighed 604.5kg in total.
The operation took place at Ewe Luleha in Owan West Local Government Area.
NDLEA conducted the operation on Wednesday, August 5.
Drug Dealer Arrested After Three-Month Manhunt
In Abia State, officers arrested a suspected drug joint operator.
They identified him as 31-year-old Chibuike Charles.
NDLEA officers arrested him at his Samec by Powerline base in Osisioma LGA.
The operation took place on Thursday, August 6.
Officers recovered 7kg of skunk from the location.
Meanwhile, NDLEA arrested a wanted drug dealer in Badagry, Lagos.
Officers had tracked Adome Claude Sikuru for three months.
They eventually arrested him at the Fibre Market drug jungle on Saturday, August 8.
Officers recovered 88.5kg of skunk from him.
NDLEA Intercepts Cannabis-Infused Cookies and Gummies
NDLEA also uncovered cannabis-infused food products at the Tincan Port Complex in Lagos.
The discovery followed a joint examination of a 40-foot container.
NDLEA worked with Customs and other security agencies during the inspection.
Officers found 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cookies and gummies.
The cannabis-infused products weighed 309.4kg.
Authorities arrested a suspect identified as Larry Nnaji.
Investigations into the shipment are ongoing.
NDLEA Intensifies War Against Drug Abuse Campaign
Beyond arrests and seizures, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse campaign.
The agency conducted sensitisation programmes across several states.
Officials visited schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.
In Oyo, officers held an awareness lecture at Islamic High School, Saki.
Similar activities took place at Holy Ghost Academy in Nkpor, Anambra State.
The agency also visited Madarasatul Hidayatul Aulad Islamiyya in Gaya, Kano State.
Meanwhile, the Rivers Command visited Ignatius Ajuru University of Education.
The command used the visit to promote drug abuse prevention among students.
Marwa Commends NDLEA Officers
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the officers.
He commended personnel from several commands for their recent operations.
They included DOGI, AIIA, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Abia, Seme and Tincan Commands.
Marwa urged officers nationwide to maintain the agency’s balanced drug control strategy.
He also encouraged them to sustain enforcement and prevention efforts.
The latest operations highlight NDLEA’s continued crackdown on drug trafficking across Nigeria.
