Lagos: NDLEA Arrests Brazil Returnee With Cocaine Concealed In Private Part

Lagos: NDLEA arrests Brazil returnee with cocaine concealed in private part. Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos, have arrested a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman, Uche Franklin Onyekwere, for concealing parcels of cocaine in his private part and soles of his footwear.

Onyekwere was arrested on Thursday, January 29, 2026, during the inward clearance of South African Airways flight passengers arriving from Brazil via Johannesburg following processed intelligence. When the 47-year-old suspect was taken a full body scan, the result confirmed illicit drug concealment.

As a result, he was subjected to a strip search, during which a big parcel of white powdery substance, which later tested positive for cocaine, was discovered wrapped around his right thigh.

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, said: “a further search revealed two additional wraps of the same substance concealed in the sole of a pair of flat shoes worn by the suspect.
“In all, three large wraps of cocaine, with a gross weight of 1.60 kilograms, were recovered from his body and footwear.

“During a preliminary interview, the suspect revealed he purchased the illicit drug consignment in Brazil with the intention to resell the cocaine in Nigeria in order to raise capital to boost his business and also finance the naming ceremony of his newly born child.

Why Visit Beijing, China?

“The suspect who lives in Rua Ever, Mulariuha, São Paulo, claimed that he has been living in Brazil since 2008 while he has been operating a toy business for about nine years.”

Also, at the Tincan seaport in Lagos, a total of 55 jumbo bags of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis with a gross weight of 1,183 kilograms imported from Montreal, Canada, in a container was discovered on Wednesday, January 28, during a joint examination of the shipment by NDLEA officers, Customs operatives and other security agencies.
The illicit consignments were hidden inside two vehicles: a Hyundai SUV and a Toyota Matrix car.

NDLEA

In Niger State, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence in the early hours of Tuesday, January 26, intercepted a long truck marked T 31589 LA along Dei-Dei expressway in Abuja where they arrested the trio of Andy Chidogu, 49; Kenneth Ogene, 45; and Sadiq Olanrewaju, 27, for conveying 176 bags of skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 2,735 kilograms and 1 kilogram of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis, concealed in the truck.

Investigations revealed that Ogene, who drove the truck, left Lagos on January 23, loaded with 800 bags of flour to Ekpoma, Edo State, and arrived the following day. In Ekpoma, he then negotiated to transport the 176 bags of skunk and 1kg Colos for N1.7million.

Sachet Alcohol Ban Meant To Protect Children, It’s Not Punitive Says NAFDAC

Sachet alcohol ban meant to protect children, it’s not punitive says NAFDAC. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says its enforcement of the ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and small plastic or glass bottles is aimed at protecting children and young people, not punishing manufacturers.

In a statement on Thursday, Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC director-general, said the policy was driven by public health concerns and growing evidence that alcohol packaged in sachets and containers below 200 millilitres has increased underage drinking across the country.

Sachet Alcohol Ban

The agency recently began enforcement of the ban following a directive by the senate, with the backing of the ministry of health and social welfare.

Ondo: NDLEA Launches Alternative Development Project To Replace Cannabis Farming

Ondo: NDLEA launches alternative development project to replace cannabis farming. Buba Marwa, chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says the introduction of alternative development projects in the country will end the age-long battle between law enforcement and illicit drug producers.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said Marwa spoke in Akure, Ondo state’s capital, on Tuesday at the launch of the alternative development project.
According to Babafemi, Marwa said the initiative also offers cannabis growers sustainable livelihoods that will ensure food security in line with the renewed hope agenda.

While acknowledging that illicit drug cultivation is a significant crisis, the NDLEA chairman said there is a unique opportunity to unite and find a lasting solution to the challenge.

“This town hall meeting is designed for us to rub minds, work together, and agree on a friendly, community-centred approach to tackle the challenges of illicit drugs and related environmental crimes. We are not here to talk at you,” he said.

“We are here to talk with you. From this engagement, we look forward to sustainable commitments that will lead to a permanent exit from the world of illicit drugs.

“We know the nexus between drug use, trafficking and criminalities, Boko Haram, banditry, terrorism, etc. They use drugs before carrying out their nefarious activities and sell drugs to raise funds.”

He said the townhall was held in Akure “to build a robust community network to support the alternative development project; to locate and establish alternatives to illicit cropping; we want to establish, with your cooperation, structures for sustainable livelihoods, ensuring a smooth transition from illicit cropping to food security in tandem with the renewed hope agenda of Mr President.” ”.

“We will promote inclusivity by ensuring that illicit croppers, vulnerable individuals, and all community stakeholders are active participants in this implementation; we want to ensure project ownership, because this initiative belongs to you, the people, as well as ensure its long-term sustainability,” Marwa added.

He added the project provides the opportunity for an engagement between the NDLEA and communities involved in illicit cropping, noting that the offer is only to communities that are willing and sincere to move away from illicit cultivation of crops like cannabis and adopt cultivation of licit crops.

“There is a wide range of licit cash and food crops, such as Artemisia annua, which has a higher financial value than cannabis, in addition to other beneficial properties in the cure of malaria and other ailments,” he said.

“We want to facilitate a total shift from illicit cropping to massive food and cash crop production. We must face the hard truth: illicit drugs generate large financial profits, but this wealth rarely reflects in the communities where these drugs are grown.

NDLEA

“While the kingpins prosper elsewhere, the cultivating communities are often left with poverty, soil degradation, and insecurity. Our primary focus, therefore, is the crop substitution programme.”

He assured that alternative development will not be used as a deceptive tool to arrest or detain anyone.

Lucky Ayedatiwa, governor of Ondo, said the project is a welcome development and expressed appreciation to Marwa for starting the pilot scheme in the state while declaring full support for the initiative.

“I therefore wish to use this opportunity to assure the NDLEA of the continued support and cooperation of Ondo state government under my leadership towards stemming the tide of drug abuse here in Ondo state and in Nigeria at large,” Aiyedatiwa said.