The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman for allegedly ingesting 98 wraps of cocaine in Anambra State and attempting to smuggle the consignment to Italy.
The suspect was arrested on August 2, 2026, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, during the outward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Europe.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect was travelling to Italy through Addis Ababa and France when operatives intercepted him.
He was subsequently placed under excretion observation and expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes.
A statement by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said investigations revealed that the suspect arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13 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 deal to raise money to relocate to Germany, where his family is based.
The NDLEA also disclosed that its operatives intercepted several other consignments of illicit drugs across the country.
In Lagos, operatives intercepted 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in 25 phone chargers and allegedly destined for Saudi Arabia.
Another 500 grammes of cocaine hidden in the false bottom of a backpack and bound for Italy was also intercepted at a logistics company.
On August 4, operatives at another logistics company in Lagos seized 2.3 kilogrammes of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, imported from the United States.
In Ondo State, NDLEA officers intercepted a truck travelling north along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway and recovered 1,633 kilogrammes of skunk concealed in bags of rice shafts. Two suspects were arrested.
The agency also recovered 147 kilogrammes of skunk during a raid on Ita Ogbolu Forest.
In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives raided a suspected drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, recovering 731.03 kilogrammes of illicit drugs and arresting a 57-year-old suspect.
The agency said the suspect’s alleged partner remains at large.
In Edo State, operatives, supported by soldiers, recovered 604.5 kilogrammes of skunk packed in 65 jumbo bags at Ewe Luleha, Owan West Local Government Area.
In Abia State, a 31-year-old suspected drug joint operator, Chibuike Charles, was arrested during a raid at Samec by Powerline, Osisioma Local Government Area. Seven kilogrammes of skunk were recovered.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, a wanted drug dealer was arrested at the Fibre Market drug jungle in Badagry following a three-month manhunt.
The NDLEA said 88.5 kilogrammes 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 309.4 kilogrammes.
The consignment was discovered during a joint examination of a 40-foot container on August 4. One suspect has been arrested in connection with the seizure.
Beyond its enforcement operations, the NDLEA said it continued its War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaign across the country.
The agency conducted drug-abuse awareness programmes for students and staff of schools in Oyo, Anambra and Kano states, while the Rivers State Command visited the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt as part of its WADA advocacy campaign.
Commending the officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged personnel to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control and enforcement.
