NDLEA Intercepts 4.8kg Cocaine Hidden In Shoes, Bags Bound For Italy

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 38-year-old businessman, Philip Tunde, with 4.80 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Operatives intercepted Tunde on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Terminal 2 of the airport.

He was preparing to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Milan, Italy, when officers stopped him at the joint screening point.

A search of his luggage uncovered 16 parcels of cocaine hidden inside the soles of eight pairs of trainers and canvas shoes.

Officers also found 195 wraps concealed in the railings of four travelling bags. The substances weighed 4.80kg after testing positive for cocaine.

During questioning, Tunde allegedly told investigators that he paid N16 million in cash for the cocaine hidden in the shoes.

He reportedly said the consignment concealed in the bags belonged to a business partner in Italy.

According to the suspect, he raised the money from compensation he received after sustaining an injury while working at a plastic manufacturing company in Italy.

He allegedly lost the tips of two fingers in the incident.

NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi said the arrest formed part of intelligence-led operations across the country.

He said the operations had also produced major drug seizures at seaports and the destruction of cannabis farms.

At the Apapa Port in Lagos, NDLEA operatives worked with the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies to intercept 124kg of Thai Loud.

The potent cannabis strain was concealed inside two refrigerators and two cartons in a container shipped from Bangkok, Thailand.

The agency valued the consignment at N372 million.

At Onne Port in Rivers State, officers recovered another 22kg of Loud from a container.

They also seized 109,600 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup weighing 16,440kg. NDLEA put the combined street value at N833.2 million.

Meanwhile, officers at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos recovered 1,297.5kg of Canadian Loud on September 29.

The drugs came from Montreal, Canada, in a watch-listed container. Traffickers concealed the consignment in two vehicles alongside other items.

NDLEA valued the drugs at more than N3.8 billion.

The agency also destroyed 20,234kg of skunk from a cannabis farm covering 8.0936 hectares in Area 4, Ife South Local Government Area of Osun State.

In Plateau State, operatives arrested a 41-year-old suspect, Agbo Dennis, in Jos North.

They recovered 33 bags of skunk weighing 385kg from the suspect.

The agency said its operations also led to the seizure of tramadol, methamphetamine, Colorado and other illicit substances in Lagos, Kogi and Edo states.

In another development, officers arrested Idris Mohammed Kurra, 47, who had allegedly evaded arrest for six years.

Kurra allegedly jumped bail in December 2020 while facing trial before the Federal High Court in Jos over alleged possession and trafficking of 198kg of skunk.

NDLEA operatives arrested him on September 29, 2026, ending his six-year period on the run.

Beyond enforcement, the agency said its commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaigns nationwide.

The sensitisation programmes targeted schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.), commended the officers involved in the operations.

Marwa urged them to maintain pressure on drug trafficking networks while sustaining the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.

He called for continued emphasis on enforcement, prevention, public education and community sensitisation.