NDLEA busts drug syndicates shipping cocaine in phone chargers, backpacks to Saudi Arabia, Europe

…Nabs Italy-based businessman at Enugu airport with 98 cocaine wraps

By Kingsley Omonobi

ABUJA — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has foiled attempts by suspected drug trafficking syndicates to export 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in 25 phone chargers to Saudi Arabia through a courier company in Lagos.

The agency also intercepted another consignment containing 500 grammes of cocaine concealed in the false bottom of a backpack and destined for Italy at a different logistics company on Monday, August 3, 2026.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement at the weekend.

He said operatives also intercepted 2.3kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, imported from the United States at another shipping company in Lagos on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

In another development, NDLEA operatives arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, Joseph Cyril, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for ingesting 98 wraps of cocaine while attempting to travel to Italy through Addis Ababa and France.

Babafemi said the suspect was arrested at the departure hall of the airport on Sunday, August 2, during the outward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

He was subsequently placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510kg.

According to Babafemi, investigations revealed that Cyril arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13, 2026, and allegedly ingested the drug at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before proceeding to Enugu to board his flight to Europe.

He quoted the suspect as saying he had been doing business in Italy for years before agreeing to transport the drug for €3,500 to raise money to relocate to Germany, where his family is based.

Babafemi further said NDLEA officers on patrol along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway on Tuesday, August 4, intercepted a truck heading north with 1,633kg of skunk concealed in bags of rice chaff.

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

He added that 147kg of skunk was also recovered from Ita Ogbolu Forest during a raid on Monday, August 3.

In Oyo State, operatives acting on credible intelligence raided a drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, on Monday, August 3, recovering 731.03kg of cannabis and arresting a 57-year-old suspect, Felicia Thompson.

Babafemi said another suspect identified as Thompson Vincent Nwaka remained at large.

Similarly, 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 Wednesday, August 5.

In Abia State, a suspected drug joint operator, Chibuike Charles, 31, was arrested during a raid at Samec by Powerline, Osisioma Local Government Area, where 7kg of skunk was seized.

Babafemi also said a wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, was arrested at the Fibre Market drug area in Badagry, Lagos, on Saturday, August 8, following a three-month manhunt.

According to him, 88.5kg of skunk was recovered from the suspect at the time of his arrest.

At the Tin Can Port Complex in Lagos, NDLEA operatives, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, discovered 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cookies and gummies infused with cannabis, weighing 309.4kg.

The consignment was discovered during a joint examination of a 40-foot container on Tuesday, August 4. A suspect, Larry Nnaji, was arrested in connection with the seizure.

Meanwhile, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities during the week.

The activities included WADA 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, Port Harcourt.

While commending officers and men of the Drug Control Operations and General Investigation, DOGI; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; Ondo; Oyo; Edo; Abia; Seme; and Tin Can commands for their operations, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged them and their colleagues nationwide to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.

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