Italy-Based Businessman Excretes 98 Cocaine Wraps At Enugu Airport

A 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, Joseph Cyril, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after he allegedly ingested 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes at Enugu airport.

Cyril was arrested at the departure hall of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, on Sunday, August 2, 2026, while undergoing outward clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight, ET930, to Italy via Addis Ababa and France.

The NDLEA said in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, that the suspect was subsequently placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled all 98 wraps of cocaine.

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

The suspect reportedly told investigators that he had been doing business in Italy for years before agreeing to traffic the consignment for €3,500.

He allegedly said he accepted the deal to raise money to relocate to Germany, where his family is based.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives have intercepted several consignments of cocaine and cannabis concealed in different forms and destined for Saudi Arabia, Italy and other locations.

The agency said 1.2kg of cocaine concealed in 25 pieces of phone chargers and destined for Saudi Arabia was intercepted at a courier company in Lagos.

A separate attempt to export 500 grammes of cocaine concealed in the false bottom of a backpack to Italy was also thwarted by NDLEA officers at another logistics company on Monday, August 3.

On Tuesday, August 4, operatives intercepted 2.3kg of Loud, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis, imported from the United States through another shipping company in Lagos.

In Ondo State, NDLEA officers on patrol along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway intercepted a truck allegedly transporting 1,633kg of skunk to northern Nigeria.
Two suspects, Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30, were arrested in connection with the consignment, which was allegedly concealed in bags of rice shafts.

The agency also said 147kg of skunk was recovered from Ita Ogbolu forest during a raid conducted on Monday, August 3.
In Oyo State, operatives acting on intelligence raided a drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, on Monday and recovered 731.03kg of cannabis.

A 57-year-old suspect, Felicia Thompson, was arrested, while her alleged partner, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, is reportedly at large.

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives, backed 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, 31-year-old Chibuike Charles, was arrested during a raid at Samec by Powerline Base in Osisioma Local Government Area on Thursday, August 6.
The operation led to the seizure of 7kg of skunk.

In Lagos, a wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, was arrested on Saturday, August 8, after a three-month manhunt.
Sikuru was apprehended at the Fibre Market drug jungle in Badagry, with 88.5kg of skunk recovered from him, according to the NDLEA.

Also at the TinCan Island Port complex in Lagos, NDLEA officers, working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, discovered 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 309.4kg.

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

The NDLEA also said its commands across the country continued with its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.

The agency listed enlightenment lectures held at 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.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers and personnel of the Drug Demand Reduction Directorate, AIIA, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Abia, Seme and TinCan commands for the operations.

Marwa urged officers across the country to sustain what he described as the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.