NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine Bound for Saudi Arabia, Europe, Seizes Over 3 Tonnes of Illicit Drugs in Nationwide Operations
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, intercepting cocaine consignments concealed in phone chargers and a backpack destined for Saudi Arabia and Europe, while recovering more than three tonnes of illicit drugs in coordinated operations across several states.
One of the major breakthroughs involved the arrest of a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, Joseph Cyril, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, for ingesting 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes.
Cyril was arrested on Sunday, August 2, 2026, during the outward clearance of passengers aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930. He was subsequently placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled all 98 wraps of cocaine.
Investigations revealed that the suspect arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13 and allegedly ingested the drugs at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu to board his flight to Europe.
In his statement, Cyril reportedly admitted agreeing to traffic the cocaine for €3,500, saying he intended to use the proceeds to raise funds to relocate to Germany, where his family resides.
Cocaine concealed in phone chargers intercepted
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives thwarted an attempt to export 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine to Saudi Arabia. The drug was concealed inside 25 phone chargers and intercepted at a courier company.
A separate operation at another logistics firm led to the seizure of 500 grammes of cocaine concealed in the false bottom of a backpack destined for Italy on Monday, August 3.
The agency also intercepted 2.3 kilogrammes of Loud, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis, imported from the United States through another shipping company on Tuesday, August 4.
Major cannabis seizures recorded across states
NDLEA operatives in Ondo State also intercepted a truck conveying 1,633 kilogrammes of skunk along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway on Tuesday, August 4. The consignment was allegedly concealed in bags of rice shafts.
Two suspects, Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30, were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Earlier, on Monday, August 3, operatives recovered another 147 kilogrammes of skunk during a raid at Ita Ogbolu forest.
In Oyo State, acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA officers raided a suspected drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, on Monday, August 3. The operation resulted in the recovery of 731.03 kilogrammes of illicit drugs and the arrest of 57-year-old Felicia Thompson. Her alleged partner, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, remains at large.
Similarly, NDLEA operatives supported by soldiers recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 604.5 kilogrammes at Ewe Luleha in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Wednesday, August 5.
Wanted drug dealer arrested after three-month manhunt
In Abia State, NDLEA operatives arrested 31-year-old Chibuike Charles during a raid on a drug joint at Samec by Powerline Base in Osisioma Local Government Area on Thursday, August 6. About 7 kilogrammes of skunk was recovered from him.
In Lagos, a wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, was arrested on Saturday, August 8, following a three-month manhunt. He was apprehended at the Fibre Market drug enclave in Badagry, with 88.5 kilogrammes of skunk recovered from him.
Cannabis-infused products seized at Tin Can Port
At the Tin Can Island Port Complex in Lagos, a joint examination involving NDLEA operatives, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies uncovered 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 309.4 kilogrammes.
The consignment was discovered inside a 40-foot container on Tuesday, August 4. A suspect identified as Larry Nnaji has been arrested in connection with the seizure.
The series of operations, according to the NDLEA, underscores the agency’s continued efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks, intercept illicit consignments before they reach their destinations and dismantle local distribution networks.
Beyond enforcement operations, NDLEA commands and formations across the country also continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.
Recent engagements included awareness programmes 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 visited the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, for a WADA advocacy engagement.
Commending officers and personnel of the DOGI, AIIA, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Abia, Seme and Tin Can Commands for the successful operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), urged personnel nationwide to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
He called for continued vigilance, intelligence-led operations and preventive measures as the agency intensifies its campaign against illicit drug trafficking and abuse across Nigeria.
NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine Bound for Saudi Arabia, Europe, Seizes Over 3 Tonnes of Illicit Drugs in Nationwide Operations