Picnews
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman for allegedly ingesting 98 wraps of cocaine in Anambra State in an attempt to smuggle the substance to Italy.
The suspect was apprehended on Sunday, August 2, 2026, during the outward clearance of passengers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, while preparing to board Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930.
According to a statement issued by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the suspect was travelling to Italy through Addis Ababa and France when operatives intercepted him.
He was subsequently placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes.
Preliminary investigations by the agency revealed that the suspect arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13, 2026, and allegedly ingested the drugs at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before heading to Enugu for his return journey.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he had lived and conducted business in Italy for several years before accepting an offer to traffic the consignment for €3,500. He was said to have taken the offer in a bid to raise funds to relocate to Germany, where his family resides.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA disclosed that its operatives intercepted several other consignments of illicit drugs across different states during the week.
In Lagos State, officers foiled an attempt to export 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed inside 25 phone chargers and destined for Saudi Arabia. Another 500 grammes of cocaine hidden in the false compartment of a backpack and allegedly meant for Italy was also seized at a logistics company.
On Tuesday, August 4, NDLEA operatives at another logistics firm in Lagos intercepted 2.3 kilogrammes of Loud, a synthetic cannabis variant imported from the United States.
In Ondo State, officers on patrol along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway intercepted a truck conveying 1,633 kilogrammes of skunk concealed in bags of rice shafts. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
The agency also recovered 147 kilogrammes of skunk during a raid on Ita Ogbolu Forest in the state.
In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence raided a drug warehouse at Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, leading to the recovery of 731.03 kilogrammes of illicit substances and the arrest of a 57-year-old suspect. The agency said an alleged accomplice remains at large.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives, supported by soldiers, recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 604.5 kilogrammes at Ewe Luleha, Owan West Local Government Area.
Similarly, in Abia State, a suspected drug joint operator, 31-year-old Chibuike Charles, was arrested during a raid at his Samec by Powerline base in Osisioma Local Government Area, with seven kilogrammes of skunk recovered.
In Lagos, a wanted drug dealer was arrested at the Fibre Market drug hotspot in Badagry on Saturday, August 8, after a three-month manhunt. NDLEA said 88.5 kilogrammes of skunk was recovered from him.
At the Tin Can Island Port Complex, Lagos, NDLEA operatives, working alongside the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, intercepted a 40-foot container containing 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies. The consignment, comprising 442 packets and weighing 309.4 kilogrammes, was discovered during a joint examination, with a suspect arrested in connection with the seizure.
Beyond enforcement activities, the NDLEA said its commands nationwide continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign, reaching students and communities in Oyo, Anambra and Kano states.
The agency also carried out advocacy engagements, including a visit by the Rivers State Command to the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt.
Commending officers involved in the operations, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), urged personnel to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control through enforcement, prevention and public awareness.
