An Italy-based Nigerian businessman, Joseph Cyril, has been arrested at Enugu airport after NDLEA operatives found that he had ingested 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510kg.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested the 30-year-old suspect at Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, on Sunday, 2nd August 2026.
Cyril was arrested at the departure hall during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930.
However, officers placed him under excretion observation, during which he expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510kg.
Investigations showed that Cyril arrived in Nigeria from Italy on 13th July 2026.
He allegedly ingested the cocaine at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu for his flight to Europe.
Meanwhile, Cyril told investigators that he had done business in Italy for years. He said he agreed to traffic the drug for €3,500 to raise money to relocate to Germany, where his family lives.
NDLEA Stops Cocaine Shipments
Furthermore, NDLEA operatives stopped attempts to export 1.2kg of cocaine to Saudi Arabia through a courier firm in Lagos.
Traffickers concealed the cocaine inside 25 phone chargers.
On Monday, 3rd August, officers also stopped an attempt to send 500g of cocaine to Italy.
Traffickers hid the drug inside the false bottom of a backpack at another logistics company.
NDLEA officers intercepted 2.3kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at another Lagos shipping company on Tuesday, 4th August.
The consignment arrived from the United States.
NDLEA officers on patrol along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway intercepted a truck heading north on Tuesday, 4th August. Officers found 1,633kg of skunk concealed in bags of rice shafts.
The officers arrested two suspects, Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30. Earlier, officers recovered 147kg of skunk from Ita Ogbolu forest during a raid on Monday, 3rd August.
In Oyo State, operatives acting on credible intelligence raided a drug warehouse at Elebure village, Orire LGA, on Monday, 3rd August.
They recovered 731.03kg of drugs and arrested Felicia Thompson, 57, while her partner, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, remains at large.
Similarly, NDLEA operatives, supported by soldiers, recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 604.5kg at Ewe Luleha in Owan West LGA, Edo State, on Wednesday, 5th August.
In Abia State, officers arrested drug joint operator Chibuike Charles, 31, during a raid at his Samec by Powerline base in Osisioma LGA on Thursday, 6th August. Officers seized 7kg of skunk from the operation.
Meanwhile, NDLEA officers arrested wanted drug dealer Adome Claude Sikuru at the Fibre Market drug jungle in Badagry, Lagos, on Saturday, 8th August.
The agency had pursued him for three months and recovered 88.5kg of skunk from him.
Also, NDLEA officers, Customs and other security agencies jointly examined a 40ft container at the Tincan Port Complex, Lagos, on Tuesday, 4th August.
The operation uncovered 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 309.4kg. Officers arrested Larry Nnaji in connection with the seizure.
Meanwhile, NDLEA commands and formations across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign during the past week.
The activities covered schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.
They included WADA 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 paid a WADA advocacy visit to the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt.
Commending officers and men of DOGI, AIIA, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Abia, Seme and Tincan Commands, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), urged officers nationwide to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
External links
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
Nigeria Customs Service
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria
Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja — Sunday, 9th August 2026.
