Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, Joseph Cyril, for ingesting 98 wraps of cocaine while attempting to travel to Italy through Addis Ababa and France.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Cyril was arrested at the departure hall of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, on Sunday, August 2, during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930.

Babafemi said the suspect was subsequently placed on excretion observation, during which he expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510kg.

The statement said, “The suspect who was nabbed at the departure hall of the airport on Sunday, 2nd August 2026 during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930, was subsequently placed on excretion observation during which he excreted 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilograms.”

Giving details of the investigation, Babafemi said, “Investigations revealed that Cyril had arrived Nigeria from Italy on 13th July 2026 and ingested the drug in a hotel in Awka, Anambra State before proceeding to Enugu to board his flight to Europe on Sunday 2nd August.”

The NDLEA spokesman added that the suspect admitted agreeing to traffic the drugs for money.

“In his statement, he claimed he has been doing business in Italy for years before agreeing 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,”Babafemi said.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives foiled attempts by traffickers to export 1.2kg of cocaine concealed inside 25 phone chargers to Saudi Arabia.

Babafemi said, “Attempts by some drug trafficking syndicates to export 1.2 kilograms of cocaine concealed in 25 pieces of phone chargers going to Saudi Arabia were thwarted by NDLEA operatives at a courier firm in Lagos.”

He added that another attempt to export cocaine to Italy was also stopped.

“A similar bid to send 500 grams of the same class A drug hidden in the false bottom of a backpack to Italy was equally aborted in another logistics company by NDLEA officers on Monday 3rd August,” he stated.

The agency also intercepted another shipment of cannabis from the United States.

According to Babafemi, “a consignment of 2.3kg Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, coming from the United States was intercepted in another shipping company in Lagos on Tuesday 4th August.

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

Babafemi said, “NDLEA officers on patrol along Akure-Ilesha expressway on Tuesday 4th August intercepted a truck heading to the North with 1,633 kilograms of skunk concealed in bags of rice shafts.”

He disclosed that two suspects, Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30, were arrested in connection with the consignment.

“Two suspects: Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30, transporting the consignment were arrested,” he stated.

The agency also recovered 147kg of skunk from the Ita Ogbolu forest during a separate operation.

Babafemi said, “a total of 147kg skunk was recovered from Ita Ogbolu forest during a raid operation on Monday 3rd August.”

In Oyo State, operatives acting on intelligence raided a drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, recovering more than 731kg of cannabis.

According to the statement, “In Oyo state, operatives acting on credible intelligence on Monday 3rd August raided a drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire LGA, where they recovered 731.03 kilograms and arrested a suspect, Felicia Thompson, 57, while her partner, Thompson Vincent Nwaka is at large.”

In Edo State, the agency said operatives, supported by soldiers, recovered 604.5kg of skunkduring another raid.

Babafemi stated, “In a similar operation in Edo state on Wednesday 5th August, operatives supported by soldiers recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 604.5kg at Ewe Luleha in Owan West LGA.”

In Abia State, NDLEA operatives arrested 31-year-old Chibuike Charles, a suspected drug joint operator, during a raid at Samec by Powerline base in Osisioma Local Government Area.

Babafemi said, “While a drug joint operator, Chibuike Charles, 31, was arrested during a raid at his Samec by powerline base in Osisioma LGA, Abia state where 7kg of skunk was seized on Thursday 6th August.”

In Lagos, the agency said it finally arrested a wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, after three months of searching for him.

According to the statement, “a notorious wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru was on Saturday 8th August nabbed at the fibre market drug jungle, Badagry, Lagos, after a three-month manhunt for him.”

The agency added, “As at the time of his arrest, 88.5kg of skunk was seized from him.”

At the Tincan Port Complex in Lagos, NDLEA officers, in collaboration with Customs and other security agencies, intercepted a consignment containing cannabis-infused confectioneries.

Babafemi said, “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 a 40ft container by NDLEA officers, Customs and other security agencies on Tuesday 4th August at the Tincan port complex Lagos.”

He added that “a suspect, Larry Nnaji, has already been arrested in connection with the seizure.”

Source: punchng.com

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it intercepted 140 pump-action rifles and cannabis-infused food products at the TinCan Island Port in Lagos.

Speaking during a press briefing, Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), said the seizures were made during recent enforcement operations by the TinCan Island Port Command. Adeniyi said customs operatives intercepted a container carrying concealed knock-down components of pump-action rifles.

He noted that 140 rifles have been assembled from the recovered parts, adding that officers are still assembling the remaining components. The CGC said one principal suspect was arrested at a bonded terminal while attempting to process the release of the container. Financial and telecommunications records linked the suspect to the shipment.

He added that two suspects are currently in custody assisting with investigations, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being tracked by security agencies. Customs Intercepts Cannabis-Infused SnacksAdeniyi also noted that customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers laden with cannabis-infused products concealed among imported items, including vehicles, generators, batteries, and fabrics.

The seizure included 8,720 pieces of Delta-8 cannabis pre-roll cookies weighing 17.44 kilogrammes and valued at N308.7 million. Officers also recovered 740 packs of cannabis-infused gummies weighing 515.2 kilogrammes and valued at N40.7 million, as well as 873 cartons containing 442 packs of cannabis-infused cookies weighing 309.4 kilogrammes and valued at N24.3 million.

The combined street value of the seized cannabis-infused products stands at N373.8 million. Adeniyi noted that the products were packaged to resemble ordinary snacks, with flavours such as citrus, vanilla, pine, and peach pie, making them attractive to children, students, and other young people. He warned that the deceptive packaging could cause unsuspecting consumers to unknowingly ingest the products.

The CGC commended Joseph Anani, Area Controller of the TinCan Island Port Command, and officers of the enforcement unit for their vigilance and professionalism. He reiterated the service’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and ensuring the prosecution of those involved in trafficking illicit arms and dangerous drugs. NigerianBusiness News

Adeniyi also praised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its collaboration with the Customs Service and urged Nigerians to provide credible intelligence to support anti-smuggling efforts. Receiving the seized items, Augustine Adewunmi, Commander of Narcotics at the NDLEA TinCan Strategic Command, described cannabis-infused cookies, gummies, and smoothies as an emerging threat to public safety.

Adewunmi said the products, imported from the United States, were marketed as vegan snacks with flavours such as citrus, vanilla, and peach to deceive unsuspecting consumers. He warned that the products were deliberately designed to appeal to children, students, and clubgoers, increasing the risk of accidental drug consumption.

The NDLEA commander confirmed that two suspects are in custody while investigations continue. He urged parents, schools, and the public to remain vigilant, warning that consuming the products delivers concentrated cannabis directly to the body.

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The Lagos State Government says it has arrested 27 suspected hoodlums following the alleged vandalism of a newly constructed bridge linking Festac Town to Alakija.

The arrests followed a joint midnight enforcement operation by officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force after authorities uncovered the alleged destruction of critical components of the bridge.

According to a post via the X handle of the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the operation was carried out in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive to clear the Lagos-Badagry Transnational Highway of environmental infractions, illegal motor parks, roadside trading and other unlawful activities.

The commissioner said investigations revealed that suspected hoodlums had deliberately removed key structural materials from the bridge, posing a threat to public safety.

“Investigations revealed that suspected hoodlums had deliberately vandalised critical structural components of the bridge by removing iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables, and other supporting materials essential to the integrity of the infrastructure.”he said

The statement described the alleged vandalism as a serious threat to the integrity of the infrastructure and the government’s investment in public projects.

Following the discovery, security operatives launched a coordinated enforcement operation, leading to the arrest of 27 suspects.

“The operation led to the arrest of 27 suspected hoodlums, who will be prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of Lagos State.”

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