The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disrupted several suspected drug trafficking operations after intercepting cocaine concealed in phone chargers and a backpack destined for Saudi Arabia and Europe.
The agency said its operatives recovered 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden inside 25 phone chargers at a courier company in Lagos. The consignment was allegedly being prepared for shipment to Saudi Arabia.
In a separate operation on August 3, 2026, NDLEA officers intercepted another package containing 500 grammes of cocaine concealed inside the false bottom of a backpack. The parcel was reportedly heading to Italy through another logistics company.
The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the seizures in a statement issued at the weekend.
The agency also intercepted 2.3 kilogrammes of Loud, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis, which had reportedly been imported from the United States through another shipping company in Lagos on August 4.
Man Arrested After Ingesting 98 Cocaine Wraps
In another major operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, Joseph Cyril, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
Cyril was arrested on August 2 while preparing to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Italy through Addis Ababa and France.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect had allegedly swallowed 98 wraps of cocaine before arriving at the airport.
He was placed under excretion observation and subsequently expelled all 98 wraps, weighing approximately 1.510 kilogrammes.
Investigators reportedly found that Cyril had travelled from Italy to Nigeria on July 13 and allegedly ingested the drugs at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu for his return flight.
Babafemi quoted the suspect as saying he had been doing business in Italy for several years before agreeing to transport the drugs for €3,500 to raise money to relocate to Germany, where his family lives.
Over 1.6 Tonnes of Cannabis Seized in Ondo
NDLEA officers also intercepted a truck travelling north along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway on August 4.
The truck was allegedly carrying 1,633 kilogrammes of skunk, a cannabis strain, concealed inside bags of rice chaff.
Two suspects, Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30, were arrested in connection with the consignment.
The agency also recovered 147 kilogrammes of skunk during a separate raid at Ita Ogbolu Forest on August 3.
Cannabis Warehouse Raided in Oyo
In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a suspected drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area.
The operation resulted in the recovery of 731.03 kilogrammes of cannabis and the arrest of a 57-year-old suspect identified as Felicia Thompson.
Another suspect, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, reportedly escaped and remains wanted by the agency.
NDLEA, Soldiers Recover 604kg of Cannabis in Edo
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives, working alongside soldiers, recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 604.5 kilogrammes at Ewe Luleha in Owan West Local Government Area on August 5.
The operation formed part of the agency’s continuing efforts to dismantle cannabis trafficking networks across the country.
In Abia State, NDLEA officers also arrested a suspected drug joint operator, 31-year-old Chibuike Charles, during a raid at Samec by Powerline in Osisioma Local Government Area.
About 7 kilogrammes of skunk were recovered during the operation.
Wanted Drug Dealer Arrested After Three-Month Manhunt
The agency also announced the arrest of a wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, following a three-month search.
Sikuru was arrested on August 8 at the Fibre Market drug area in Badagry, Lagos, with 88.5 kilogrammes of skunk reportedly recovered from him.
Cannabis-Infused Cookies, Gummies Seized at Tin Can Port
At the Tin Can Port Complex in Lagos, NDLEA operatives working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies discovered another large consignment of cannabis-infused products.
The joint operation uncovered 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies, weighing approximately 309.4 kilogrammes.
The items were discovered during the examination of a 40-foot container on August 4.
A suspect identified as Larry Nnaji was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns during the week, taking drug-awareness programmes to schools, religious centres, workplaces and communities across the country.
The agency conducted awareness sessions at institutions including 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 efforts.
Commending officers involved in the various operations, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged personnel across the country to maintain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
He praised the teams from the Drug Control Operations and General Investigation (DOGI), Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Abia, Seme and Tin Can commands for their efforts.
