Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman, Uche Franklin Onyekwere, for allegedly attempting to smuggle cocaine into the country through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
The suspect, aged 47, was arrested on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the arrival hall of the Lagos airport during the inward screening of passengers arriving on a South African Airways flight from Brazil via Johannesburg, South Africa.
According to the NDLEA, the arrest followed actionable intelligence received ahead of the flight’s arrival, prompting officers to place the suspect under close surveillance.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the suspect was subjected to a body scan after preliminary profiling raised suspicion.
The scan reportedly confirmed the presence of concealed illicit substances, leading NDLEA operatives to carry out a strip search.
“A Brazil-based Nigerian businessman, Uche Franklin Onyekwere, has been arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, for concealing parcels of cocaine in his private parts and soles of his footwear,” the statement said.
Babafemi explained that during the strip search, a large parcel of a white powdery substance was found wrapped around the suspect’s right thigh. The substance later tested positive for cocaine.
Further search of the suspect’s belongings revealed two additional wraps of cocaine hidden inside the soles of a pair of flat shoes he was wearing.
“In all, three large wraps of cocaine with a total weight of 1.60 kilograms were recovered from his body and footwear,” the NDLEA spokesman stated.
During preliminary interrogation, Onyekwere reportedly confessed to purchasing the cocaine in Brazil with the intention of selling it in Nigeria.
According to him, the illegal venture was meant to raise funds to boost his business and also finance the naming ceremony of his newly born child.
“The suspect revealed that he bought the drugs in Brazil to resell in Nigeria in order to raise capital for his business and fund the naming ceremony of his newborn child,” Babafemi added.
Onyekwere reportedly told investigators that he has lived in São Paulo, Brazil, since 2008 and has been running a toy business for about nine years.
He was said to be residing at Rua Ever, Mulariuha, São Paulo, before embarking on the ill-fated trip to Nigeria.
The NDLEA said the suspect would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
The arrest is part of the agency’s renewed crackdown on drug trafficking through Nigerian airports, seaports, and land borders.
Over the years, drug traffickers have adopted increasingly risky methods to smuggle narcotics, including hiding drugs in body cavities, ingesting drug pellets, and concealing substances in personal items such as shoes, clothes, and bags.
NDLEA officials say these methods pose serious health risks to traffickers and underscore the desperation of drug syndicates.
Nigeria remains a major transit and destination country for illicit drugs, with cocaine often trafficked from South America into West Africa for local use or onward shipment to Europe and Asia.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the Tincan Seaport in Lagos intercepted a massive consignment of cannabis imported from Canada.
According to the agency, 55 jumbo bags of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, were discovered during a joint examination of a container on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
The operation was carried out by NDLEA officers in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
The seized cannabis had a total weight of 1,183 kilograms and was reportedly shipped from Montreal, Canada.
“The illicit consignments were concealed inside two vehicles — a Hyundai SUV and a Toyota Matrix car — loaded in the container,” the statement said.
Canadian Loud is known for its high potency and has become increasingly popular among drug users, making it a major target for traffickers seeking high profits.
NDLEA officials said the seizure represents a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks operating through Nigerian ports.
The agency has repeatedly warned that it will not relent in its efforts to dismantle drug cartels and arrest those involved, regardless of their status or background.
Speaking on the development, Babafemi said the NDLEA remains committed to protecting public health and national security.
“The agency will continue to deploy intelligence-led operations to intercept illicit drugs and bring traffickers to justice,” he said.
Drug abuse remains a major concern in Nigeria, with authorities warning that the influx of hard drugs fuels crime, violence, and mental health issues, especially among young people.
The federal government has continued to support NDLEA through increased funding, improved training, and better surveillance equipment to enhance its operations.
The latest arrests and seizures highlight the scale of drug trafficking threats facing the country and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to curb the menace.