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 before attempting to smuggle the consignment to Italy.
The suspect was arrested on Sunday, August 2, 2026, during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930 at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect was travelling to Italy through Addis Ababa and France when operatives intercepted him at the airport.
He was subsequently placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes, according to a statement signed by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
The agency said investigations revealed that the suspect arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13, 2026, before allegedly ingesting the drugs at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State. He then travelled to Enugu to board his flight back to Europe.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he had been doing business in Italy for several years before agreeing to traffic the consignment for €3,500.
He allegedly said he accepted the offer to raise funds to relocate to Germany, where his family is based.
The NDLEA also reported the interception of several other consignments of illicit drugs in different parts of the country.
Cocaine, cannabis seizures in Lagos
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives thwarted an attempt by suspected drug traffickers to export 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in 25 phone chargers destined for Saudi Arabia.
The agency said another 500 grammes of cocaine, hidden in the false bottom of a backpack and intended for shipment to Italy, was intercepted at a separate logistics company on Monday, August 3.
On Tuesday, August 4, NDLEA operatives at another shipping company in Lagos intercepted 2.3 kilogrammes of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, imported from the United States.
At the Tin Can Island Port Complex, NDLEA officers, working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, also intercepted 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies.
The consignment, weighing 309.4 kilogrammes, was discovered during the joint examination of a 40-foot container on Tuesday, August 4. A suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Drug seizures in Ondo, Oyo, Edo and Abia
In Ondo State, NDLEA officers on patrol along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway intercepted a truck heading north on Tuesday, August 4.
The vehicle was found to contain 1,633 kilogrammes of skunk concealed in bags of rice shafts. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the consignment.
The agency also recovered 147 kilogrammes of skunk 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 Monday.
The operation resulted in the recovery of 731.03 kilogrammes of illicit drugs and the arrest of a 57-year-old suspect.
The agency said the suspect’s alleged partner remains at large.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives, supported by soldiers, recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 604.5 kilogrammes at Ewe Luleha in Owan West Local Government Area on Wednesday, August 5.
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 on Thursday, August 6.
Seven kilogrammes of skunk were recovered from the location.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested a wanted drug dealer at the Fibre Market drug jungle in Badagry on Saturday, August 8, following a three-month manhunt.
The agency said 88.5 kilogrammes of skunk was recovered from the suspect at the time of his arrest.
WADA sensitisation continues
Alongside its enforcement operations, the NDLEA said its commands and formations across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign during the week.
The agency conducted enlightenment lectures for students and staff of Islamic High School, Saki, Oyo State; Holy Ghost Academy, Nkpor, Anambra State; and 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 and personnel of the Drug Interdiction Unit (DOGI), Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Abia, Seme and Tin Can Commands for the successful operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), urged personnel to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
