NDLEA INTERCEPTS ITALY-BASED BUSINESSMAN WITH 98 WRAPS OF COCAINE AT ENUGU AIRPORT IN NATIONWIDE DRUG CRACKDOWN

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman at Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) in Enugu after he ingested 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes in an attempt to smuggle the illicit consignment to Europe.

​The suspect was intercepted during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930, bound for Italy via Addis Ababa and France. Following his arrest, NDLEA officers placed him under excretion observation, during which he expelled the entire drug consignment.

​According to official statements signed by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13, 2026. He subsequently ingested the drug wraps at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before traveling to Enugu to board his international flight. In his statement to investigators, the suspect admitted agreeing to traffic the drugs for €3,500 in an effort to raise funds to relocate to Germany, where his family resides.

​"The suspect admitted agreeing to traffic the consignment for €3,500 to raise funds to relocate to Germany. Our officers at Akanu Ibiam International Airport intercepted him during outward passenger clearance, and he subsequently excreted 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes."

​The Enugu arrest formed part of a coordinated series of nationwide drug interdictions executed by the agency across multiple states. In Lagos, NDLEA officers thwarted attempts to export cocaine hidden inside 25 phone chargers to Saudi Arabia, intercepted cocaine concealed in a backpack destined for Italy, seized imported synthetic cannabis at shipping facilities, and impounded cannabis-infused cookies and gummies at the Tin Can Island Port. Additional major seizures of skunk and illicit substances were recorded following raids in Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Abia, and Lagos states.

​In response to the successful operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), commended the participating airport and state operational commands, urging officers to sustain a rigorous, balanced approach toward drug enforcement and public sensitization campaigns across the country.