A 25-year-old businessman who recently got married has been arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said he allegedly attempted to smuggle cocaine to Portugal.
The suspect, identified as Lovely Chukwulobelu, was reportedly stopped at the airport on September 25 while attempting to travel to Portugal on an Ethiopian Airlines flight through Addis Ababa.
NDLEA officials said the suspect had swallowed packets of cocaine before arriving at the airport.
He was placed under observation and subsequently expelled 72 wraps of the drug, according to the agency.
What NDLEA said about the suspect
The agency said Chukwulobelu had previously worked in car decoration at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Lagos.
He later moved to Portugal in May 2023, according to the NDLEA.
Investigators were reportedly told that he returned to Nigeria recently for his wedding, which took place on September 13.
The agency said the suspect claimed he turned to drug trafficking in an attempt to meet expenses arising from the wedding.
Arrest part of wider NDLEA operations
The Enugu arrest formed part of a wider series of operations announced by the anti-narcotics agency.
In Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted three monitored consignments at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The consignments contained 2,550,000 opioid pills, with a combined weight of 1,640.55kg, according to the agency.
The recovered drugs included Tramaking 225mg, Tramaking 250mg and Royal Tapentadol 250mg. NDLEA said the consignments originated from India and Bangladesh.
The agency also reported separate drug arrests and seizures in Bauchi, Edo, Lagos and Oyo states.
Among the operations was the seizure of 262.5kg of cannabis in Bauchi and the destruction of two cannabis farms in Edo State with an estimated combined yield of 1,360.23kg.
NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the officers involved in the operations and called for continued enforcement and drug-abuse prevention efforts.
The allegation against Chukwulobelu remains subject to due process and any subsequent court proceedings.
