Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based Nigerian businessman, identified as Joseph Cyril, for allegedly ingesting 98 wraps of cocaine at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu.
Cyril was arrested on Sunday, August 2, during the outward clearance of passengers at the airport while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight, ET930, en route to Italy through Addis Ababa and France.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect was subjected to excretion observation following his arrest. During the process, he excreted 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes.
The agency said preliminary investigations revealed that Cyril had arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13 and allegedly ingested the illicit substance at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu to catch his flight back to Europe.
During questioning, the suspect reportedly told investigators that he had been doing business in Italy for several years before agreeing to traffic the consignment in exchange for €3,500.
He allegedly said he accepted the deal because he needed money to relocate to Germany, where members of his family are based.
The arrest is part of the NDLEA’s continuing efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks and prevent the movement of illicit substances through Nigeria’s airports and courier channels.
NDLEA Intercepts Drug Consignments in Lagos
In a related development, NDLEA operatives in Lagos foiled several attempts to move illicit drugs through courier and logistics companies.
The agency said its officers intercepted 25 pieces of phone chargers allegedly being used to conceal a drug consignment destined for Saudi Arabia at a courier company in Lagos.
In another operation, NDLEA officers on Monday, August 3, intercepted 500 grammes of cocaine concealed inside the false bottom of a backpack at a logistics company in Lagos. The consignment was reportedly intended for shipment to Italy.
The agency also disclosed that on Tuesday, August 4, its operatives intercepted a separate consignment containing 2.3 kilogrammes of Loud, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis, at another shipping company in Lagos.
The consignment was said to have originated from the United States.
The latest arrests and interceptions highlight the continued use of airports, courier companies and logistics channels by suspected drug trafficking networks to move illicit substances across international borders.
The NDLEA has continued to intensify surveillance and enforcement operations at airports, seaports, courier facilities and other entry and exit points across the country as part of efforts to curb drug trafficking and distribution.
The agency is expected to continue investigations into the intercepted consignments and the individuals connected to them.
