The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 25-year-old newlywed businessman, Lovely Chukwulobelu, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu after he allegedly ingested 72 wraps of cocaine in an attempt to traffic the drug to Portugal.

According to the NDLEA, Chukwulobelu was intercepted at the airport’s departure hall on Thursday, September 25, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Portugal through Addis Ababa.

The agency said the suspect had concealed the cocaine in his stomach. He was subsequently placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled all 72 wraps of the Class A illicit drug.

The NDLEA said the suspect resides in Portugal and had previously operated a car decoration business at the Trade Fair Complex in the Ojo area of Lagos before relocating to Portugal in May 2023.

The agency further said Chukwulobelu recently returned to Nigeria and got married on September 13, 2026. During preliminary investigation, he reportedly told operatives that he resorted to drug trafficking in an attempt to offset expenses incurred during his wedding.

The arrest was part of a series of drug-related operations carried out by the NDLEA across several states and at major entry points.

In Lagos, the agency also reported the seizure of 2.55 million opioid pills weighing 1,640.55kg at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The consignments contained Tramaking 225mg and 250mg, as well as Royal Tapentadol 250mg, and were imported from India and Bangladesh through Qatar Airways, RwandAir and Ethiopian Airlines.

The NDLEA also reported arrests and seizures involving cannabis, nitrous oxide and other controlled substances in Bauchi, Edo, Oyo and Lagos states.

The agency said its operations are part of its ongoing efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and the distribution of illicit substances across the country.