…As NDLEA intercepts Saudi Arabia, Europe-bound cocaine

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Joseph Cyril, a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, on Sunday, 2nd August 2026, during the outward clearance of passengers boarding Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930, in an attempt to smuggle cocaine out of Nigeria has ended in arrest after he ingested 98 wraps of the drug before heading to Europe.

Cyril, who was travelling to Italy through Addis Ababa and France, was placed under excretion observation after operatives suspected he had ingested drugs. He later excreted 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilograms.

Investigations revealed that Cyril arrived in Nigeria from Italy on 13th July and allegedly ingested the cocaine at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu to catch his flight back to Europe.

In his statement, he said he had been doing business in Italy for years before agreeing to traffic the drug for €3,500. He reportedly said he intended to use the money to support his relocation to Germany, where his family is based.

In its efforts to thwart drug trafficking attempts across Nigeria, NDLEA operatives also thwarted an attempt to export 1.2 kilograms of cocaine to Saudi Arabia after the drug was concealed in 25 phone chargers handled by a courier company.

Another 500 grams of cocaine hidden in the false bottom of a backpack and destined for Italy was intercepted at another logistics company on Monday, 3rd August. The following day, Tuesday, 4th August, operatives also intercepted 2.3 kilograms of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, shipped into the country from the United States.

On the Akure-Ilesha motorway in Ondo State, NDLEA officers intercepted a truck heading north on Tuesday, 4th August, with 1,633 kilograms of skunk concealed in bags of rice shafts. Two suspects, 40-year-old Buba Jamilu and 30-year-old Sanusi Ibrahim, were arrested.

A further 147 kilograms of skunk was recovered from Ita Ogbolu forest during a raid on Monday, 3rd August.

In Oyo State, operatives acting on credible intelligence raided a drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, on Monday, 3rd August. They recovered 731.03 kilograms of cannabis and arrested 57-year-old Felicia Thompson. Her alleged partner, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, remains at large.

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

In Abia State, 31-year-old drug joint operator Chibuike Charles was arrested during a raid at his Samec by the Powerline base in Osisioma Local Government Area on Thursday, 6th August. Officers recovered 7 kilograms of skunk from the operation.

In Lagos, a three-month manhunt for a wanted drug dealer also came to an end on Saturday, 8th August, when NDLEA operatives arrested Adome Claude Sikuru at the Fibre Market drug jungle in Badagry. At the time of his arrest, 88.5 kilograms of skunk was recovered from him.

The Agency also reported the discovery of cannabis-infused food products at the Tincan Port Complex in Lagos. During a joint examination involving NDLEA officers, Customs and other security agencies on Tuesday, 4th August, 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cookies and gummies infused with cannabis, weighing 309.4 kilograms, were found in a 40-foot container. A suspect, Larry Nnaji, has been arrested in connection with the seizure.

Beyond arrests and seizures, the NDLEA said its commands and formations across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.

The Agency held enlightenment lectures for students and staff of 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 paid a WADA advocacy visit to the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt.

While commending officers and men of the DOGI, AIIA, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Abia, Seme and Tincan Commands for their operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), urged personnel across the country to sustain the Agency’s balanced approach to drug control.