Italy-Based Businessman Excretes 98 Cocaine Wraps at Enugu Airport, NDLEA Says

A 30-year-old Italy-based Nigerian businessman, identified as Joseph Cyril, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu after allegedly ingesting 98 wraps of cocaine.

The suspect was arrested on Sunday, August 2, 2026, during the outward clearance of passengers boarding an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Italy via Addis Ababa and France.

According to the NDLEA, Cyril was placed under excretion observation after his arrest and subsequently expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes.

The agency said its investigation showed that the suspect arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13 and allegedly ingested the cocaine at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu to board his flight.

Cyril reportedly told investigators that he had been doing business in Italy for several years before agreeing to transport the drug for €3,500. He allegedly said he needed the money to facilitate his relocation to Germany, where his family resides.

The NDLEA also reported several other drug interceptions across the country.

In Lagos, operatives stopped an attempt to export 1.2kg of cocaine concealed inside 25 phone chargers destined for Saudi Arabia.

Another 500 grammes of cocaine hidden in the false bottom of a backpack and allegedly bound for Italy was intercepted at a separate logistics company on August 3.

On August 4, NDLEA officers also intercepted 2.3kg of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, reportedly imported from the United States.

In Ondo State, NDLEA operatives on August 4 intercepted a truck travelling northwards along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway.

The agency said 1,633kg of skunk was concealed in bags of rice shafts.

Two suspects, Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30, were arrested in connection with the consignment.

In a separate raid at Ita Ogbolu forest on August 3, another 147kg of skunk was recovered.

In Oyo State, NDLEA officers acting on intelligence raided a drug warehouse at Elebure village in Orire Local Government Area on August 3.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 731.03kg of cannabis and the arrest of a 57-year-old suspect, Felicia Thompson.

The agency said her alleged partner, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, remains at large.

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives, supported by soldiers, recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 604.5kg at Ewe Luleha in Owan West Local Government Area on August 5.

In Abia State, a suspected drug joint operator, 31-year-old Chibuike Charles, was arrested during a raid at Samec by Powerline Base in Osisioma Local Government Area. Officers recovered 7kg of skunk during the operation.

Meanwhile, a wanted drug dealer, identified as Adome Claude Sikuru, was arrested at the Fibre Market drug jungle in Badagry, Lagos, on August 8 following a three-month manhunt.

The NDLEA said 88.5kg of skunk was recovered from him at the time of his arrest.

At the Tin Can Island Port complex in Lagos, NDLEA officers, working with Customs and other security agencies, discovered 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies.

The products, weighing a combined 309.4kg, were found during the examination of a 40-foot container on August 4.

A suspect, identified as Larry Nnaji, has been arrested in connection with the seizure.

The NDLEA said its commands across the country also continued with its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign in schools, religious institutions, workplaces and communities.

The agency said its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations and urged them to sustain the agency’s drug-control efforts nationwide.