February 1, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters Staff Correspondent
ABUJA — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of a Brazil-based Nigerian at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in connection with a major attempted narcotics smuggling, the agency confirmed in a statement on Sunday. The suspect was found with high quantities of cocaine concealed internally and within his footwear, officials said.
According to NDLEA, the operation began when routine profiling and scans raised suspicions about the traveller’s movements and luggage. Upon a detailed search, enforcement officers uncovered multiple wraps of cocaine hidden in the man’s private body cavities, along with additional quantities secreted in his shoes and baggage.
The suspect, identified as a Nigeria-born man who had been living in Brazil, was immediately taken into custody for further investigation. NDLEA spokespersons told Dalena Reporters that the cocaine seizure amounted to a significant volume, and the case is expected to lead to additional leads on international trafficking routes that link West Africa to South America.
Officials emphasized that compressing narcotics internally a method often described in law enforcement circles as body packing continues to present a serious public health and security risk, in addition to its role in facilitating transcontinental drug trafficking networks. Nigeria, they said, remains a transit hub for illicit substances bound for Europe and other international markets.
In a public briefing, NDLEA Commander at Lagos Airport stated that the arrest was part of an intensified interdiction effort targeting travellers arriving from countries with known drug production and distribution challenges. “Our officers remain vigilant,” the commander said. “We are screening passengers more thoroughly to stem the flow of illicit drugs through our entry points.
The suspect has been transferred to NDLEA headquarters in Lagos for formal charges and interrogation. Law enforcement sources told Dalena Reporters that investigators are collaborating with international partners, including Brazilian and European law enforcement agencies, to determine whether the arrest uncovers a broader trafficking cell.
This latest seizure comes amid heightened concern among Nigerian security agencies about the country’s role in global narcotics routes, particularly those connecting Latin America, West Africa, and Europe. In recent years, authorities have reported increases in cocaine and other drug consignments concealed in personal items and luggage at major airports.
No court date has yet been announced for the suspect. NDLEA officials said the evidence against him is strong and that they anticipate pressing multiple charges, including trafficking and importation of hard drugs, pending the outcome of forensic analysis.