A 30-year-old Italian businessman, Joseph Cyril, has been arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu after allegedly swallowing 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510kg while attempting to travel to Europe.
Cocaine Stowaway Caught in Enugu
The suspect, identified as Joseph Cyril, 30, was arrested at the departure hall of the airport on Sunday, August 2, 2026, during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930. He was subsequently placed on excretion observation, where he reportedly expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilograms.
According to Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, investigations revealed that Cyril had arrived Nigeria from Italy on July 13, 2026, and ingested the drug in a hotel in Awka, Anambra State before proceeding to Enugu to board his flight to Europe. In his statement, Cyril claimed he agreed to traffic the drug consignment for a fee of 3,500 Euros in order to raise money to relocate to Germany where his family is based.
Major Drug Seizures Across Nigeria
Beyond the airport arrests, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) recorded several major operations across the country during the week. In Lagos, officers intercepted an attempt to ship 1.2kg of cocaine concealed inside 25 phone chargers bound for Saudi Arabia. A similar bid to send 500 grams of cocaine hidden in the false bottom of a backpack to Italy was also thwarted.
In another operation, NDLEA officers working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies intercepted a 40-foot container carrying 309.4kg of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies at the Tincan Port in Lagos. A total of 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cookies and gummies infused with cannabis weighing 309.4kg were discovered during a joint examination of the container.
NDLEA's String of Arrests and Seizures
In addition to Cyril's arrest, the agency also seized 2.3kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, intercepted after arriving from the United States. A truck on the Akure-Ilesha Expressway carrying 1,633kg of skunk hidden inside bags of rice chaff was also intercepted. Two suspects, Buba Jamilu (40) and Sanusi Ibrahim (30), were arrested in connection with the shipment.
In Abia State, Chibuike Charles, 31, was arrested during a raid on a suspected drug joint, where 7kg of skunk was recovered. In Oyo State, operatives raided a warehouse in Elebure village, recovering more than 731kg of cannabis. In Edo State, officers working alongside soldiers recovered another 604.5kg of skunk during a raid in Owan West Local Government Area.
NDLEA's Ongoing Efforts to Combat Drug Trafficking
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of Adome Claude Sikuru, a wanted drug dealer who had allegedly been on the run for three months. 88.5kg of skunk was recovered from him after his arrest in Badagry, Lagos. The agency's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in Nigeria demonstrate a commitment to protecting the country's citizens and securing its borders.
The cocaine stowaway caught in Enugu is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by drug traffickers to Nigeria's security and public health. As the NDLEA continues to crack down on these operations, it is essential that the agency's efforts are supported by the government and the public.
Source: Pulse.ng
