Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman, Uche Franklin Onyekwere, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, for allegedly concealing cocaine on his person and in his footwear.
The 47-year-old suspect was apprehended on Thursday, January 29, 2026, during inward clearance of passengers from a South African Airways flight from Brazil via Johannesburg, following actionable intelligence.
In a statement on Sunday, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said a full-body scan confirmed the presence of illicit drugs, prompting a strip search.
“Operatives discovered a significant parcel of white powder, later confirmed to be cocaine, concealed around the suspect’s right thigh.
“Further search revealed two additional wraps hidden in the soles of his shoes, bringing the total to three wraps weighing 1.60 kilograms,” Babafemi said.
During preliminary interrogation, Onyekwere reportedly admitted purchasing the drugs in Brazil to resell in Nigeria to fund his business and the naming ceremony of his newborn child.
“He has been living in São Paulo, Brazil, since 2008 and has operated a toy business there for about nine years,” Babafemi added.
In related operations, NDLEA intercepted multiple large drug consignments across Nigeria. At Tincan Seaport, Lagos, officers recovered 1,183 kilograms of Canadian Loud cannabis hidden in two vehicles imported from Montreal, Canada.
In Niger State, 2,735 kilograms of skunk and 1 kilogram of synthetic cannabis were seized from a truck along the Dei-Dei Abuja Expressway, resulting in the arrest of three suspects.
NDLEA further reported arrests in Edo, Ondo, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states involving hundreds of kilograms of cannabis and pharmaceutical drugs concealed in vehicles, bags of charcoal, cement, and luggage.
“These operations underscore our commitment to tackling illicit drug trafficking across the country. We will continue to act on credible intelligence to disrupt the supply chain of narcotics and protect public health and safety,” Babafemi said.
