A 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, Joseph Cyril, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu State, for allegedly ingesting 98 wraps of cocaine.

Cyril was arrested on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the airport’s departure hall during the outward clearance of passengers aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930, en route to Italy via Addis Ababa and France.

The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, August 9.

According to Babafemi, the suspect was subsequently placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes.

He said investigations revealed that Cyril arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13 and allegedly ingested the consignment at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu to catch his flight to Europe.

Babafemi said the suspect claimed to have been doing business in Italy for several years before agreeing to traffic the drugs for €3,500. He reportedly said he accepted the deal to raise funds to relocate to Germany, where his family is based.

Meanwhile, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities across the country.

Babafemi said the agency delivered WADA enlightenment lectures to students and staff of Islamic High School, Saki, Oyo State; Holy Ghost Academy, Nkpor, Anambra State; and Madarasatul Hidayatul Aulad Islamiyya, Gaya, Kano State.

He added that the Rivers State Command also paid a WADA advocacy visit to the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt, among other activities.