The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman after allegedly discovering that he had ingested 98 wraps of cocaine in Anambra State while preparing to transport the drugs to Europe.
The suspect was arrested on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, during the outward clearance of passengers boarding an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Italy through Addis Ababa and France.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect was subjected to excretion observation after his arrest, during which he expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes.
The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the development in a statement.
Investigations reportedly showed that the suspect had travelled from Italy to Nigeria on July 13, 2026, before allegedly ingesting the cocaine at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State.
He later travelled to Enugu to catch his flight back to Europe.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he had been doing business in Italy for several years before accepting an offer to transport the drugs for €3,500.
According to the NDLEA, he said he agreed to the deal because he needed money to relocate to Germany, where his family is based.
NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine Shipments in Lagos
The agency also announced a series of other drug interceptions across the country.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives stopped an attempt to ship 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine to Saudi Arabia after discovering the drug concealed inside 25 phone chargers.
Another 500 grammes of cocaine was intercepted at a separate logistics company after it was allegedly hidden inside the false bottom of a backpack destined for Italy.
On August 4, NDLEA officers also intercepted 2.3 kilogrammes of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis reportedly imported from the United States, at another shipping company in Lagos.
Over 1.6 Tonnes of Cannabis Seized in Ondo
In Ondo State, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway intercepted a truck travelling north with 1,633 kilogrammes of skunk concealed inside bags of rice chaff.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the consignment.
The agency also recovered another 147 kilogrammes of skunk during a raid at Ita Ogbolu Forest.
NDLEA Raids Drug Warehouse in Oyo
In Oyo State, operatives acting on intelligence raided a suspected drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area.
The operation led to the recovery of 731.03 kilogrammes of illicit drugs and the arrest of a 57-year-old suspect.
The NDLEA said the suspect’s alleged partner remains at large.
More Cannabis Seized in Edo, Abia and Lagos
In Edo State, NDLEA officers supported by soldiers recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 604.5 kilogrammes at Ewe Luleha in Owan West Local Government Area.
In Abia State, a suspected drug joint operator, 31-year-old Chibuike Charles, was arrested during a raid at his base in Samec by Powerline, Osisioma Local Government Area.
Officers recovered 7 kilogrammes of skunk from the location.
Meanwhile, in Badagry, Lagos, a wanted drug dealer was arrested at the Fibre Market drug area on August 8 following a three-month manhunt.
The NDLEA said 88.5 kilogrammes of skunk was recovered from the suspect.
Cannabis-Infused Cookies, Gummies Intercepted at Tin Can Port
At the Tin Can Island Port Complex in Lagos, NDLEA operatives working alongside the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies intercepted 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies.
The consignment, weighing 309.4 kilogrammes, was discovered during the examination of a 40-foot container on August 4.
A suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Beyond its enforcement activities, the NDLEA said its commands across the country continued with its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign.
The agency held drug-abuse awareness programmes for students and staff at 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 visited the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, as part of its WADA advocacy campaign.
Commending personnel involved in the various operations, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised officers from the relevant commands and urged them to maintain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
Source: National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
