The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported a series of major drug interceptions and arrests across the country, including the arrest of a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman who excreted 98 wraps of cocaine at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

The suspect, identified as Joseph Cyril, was arrested on August 2 during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Italy through Addis Ababa and France. He was subsequently placed under observation until he expelled all 98 wraps, weighing 1.510kg.

According to the agency, preliminary investigations revealed that Cyril allegedly ingested the cocaine at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, after arriving in Nigeria from Italy on July 13. He reportedly admitted agreeing to transport the drugs in exchange for €3,500, which he intended to use to facilitate his family's relocation to Germany.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted 1.2kg of cocaine concealed inside 25 phone chargers allegedly destined for Saudi Arabia, while another 500g of the substance was discovered inside the false bottom of a backpack bound for Italy. The operatives also seized 2.3kg of Loud, a potent cannabis strain, reportedly imported from the United States.

The agency also recorded significant cannabis seizures in Ondo, Oyo, Edo and Abia states, recovering more than 2.9 tonnes of skunk in separate operations.

The seizures included 1,633kg intercepted along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway, 731.03kg recovered from a suspected drug warehouse in Oyo State, 604.5kg seized in Edo State and an additional 7kg recovered in Abia State. Several suspects were arrested in connection with the operations, while efforts continue to apprehend others who fled.

In Badagry, Lagos State, a wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, was arrested following a three-month manhunt. NDLEA operatives recovered 88.5kg of skunk from him.

At the Tincan Port Complex in Lagos, the agency, working alongside the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, intercepted 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies with a combined weight of 309.4kg.

The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers and personnel involved in the operations, urging them to maintain the agency's dual approach of drug supply reduction through enforcement and demand reduction through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns nationwide.