Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, Joseph Cyril, at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
Cyril was intercepted on Sunday, August 2, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight destined for Italy via Addis Ababa and France.
Following his arrest, the suspect was placed under medical observation, during which he excreted 98 ingested wraps of cocaine weighing a total of 1.510 kilograms.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed that Cyril had arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13 and ingested the illicit drugs at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State. Cyril admitted during interrogation that he accepted €3,500 to traffic the narcotics in order to fund a relocation to Germany to join his family.
NDLEA foils export attempts to Saudi Arabia and Italy
The Enugu interception coincided with a series of successful anti-narcotics operations executed across Lagos State.
At a local courier company, NDLEA officers thwarted an attempt to export 1.2 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside 25 mobile phone chargers bound for Saudi Arabia.
In a separate raid at another logistics firm, officers uncovered 500 grams of cocaine hidden within the false bottom of a backpack intended for shipment to Italy.
Additionally, agency officials intercepted a shipping consignment containing 2.3 kilograms of “Loud,” a high-potency synthetic strain of cannabis, imported into Lagos from the United States.
Nationwide operations yield over 3.2 tonnes of cannabis
The anti-drug agency also dismantled major domestic distribution networks across several states:
Ondo State: Operatives seized 1,633 kilograms of skunk hidden under rice hulls in a northbound truck along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway, arresting two suspects. An additional 147 kilograms were recovered during a forest raid in Ita Ogbolu.
Oyo State: A warehouse raid in Orire Local Government Area led to the seizure of 731.03 kilograms of skunk and the arrest of 57-year-old Felicia Thompson.
Edo State: Supported by military personnel, operatives recovered 604.5 kilograms of skunk in Owan West Local Government Area.
Lagos State: A three-month manhunt concluded with the arrest of wanted drug dealer Adome Sikuru in Badagry, where 88.5 kilograms of skunk were seized. At Tin Can Island Port, a joint inspection of a 40-foot container uncovered 309.4 kilograms of cannabis-infused edibles.
Abia State: A targeted raid at a drug hub in Osisioma Local Government Area resulted in the arrest of a suspect found with 7 kilograms of skunk.
Commenting on the series of busts, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the operational teams for their vigilance and urged officers to maintain a balanced strategy targeting both drug supply reduction and public awareness.
Read Also: NDLEA arrests 80-year-old seller of illicit drugs in Lagos
