Oluwafunbi Bello 
ENUGU, Nigeria – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman for allegedly ingesting 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.51kg while attempting to leave Nigeria.
The suspect, identified as Joseph Cyril, was arrested on August 2 at the departure hall of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, during the outward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Europe.
In a statement on Sunday, the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that Cyril was subsequently placed under excretion observation and expelled all 98 wraps of cocaine.
Babafemi said investigations showed that Cyril arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13 and allegedly ingested the cocaine at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu for his flight.
The suspect reportedly admitted agreeing to traffic the consignment for €3,500, allegedly to raise funds to relocate to Germany, where his family is based.
In Lagos, operatives reportedly intercepted 1.2kg of cocaine concealed in 25 phone chargers allegedly destined for Saudi Arabia and another 500g of cocaine hidden in a backpack bound for Italy.
The agency also intercepted 2.3kg of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, imported from the United States.
In another operation, NDLEA officers recovered 1,633kg of skunk from a truck travelling along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway. Two suspects, Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30, were arrested in connection with the consignment.
In Oyo State, operatives recovered 731.03kg of cannabis from a suspected drug warehouse in Elebure village, while 604.5kg of skunk was seized in Edo State.
The agency also reported the recovery of 147kg of skunk from Ita Ogbolu forest and 88.5kg from a wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, who was arrested in Badagry, Lagos.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Oluwatobi Adu 
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