The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled a drug smuggling attempt after intercepting a suspect who ingested illicit substances in a bid to evade detection.
The agency disclosed that its operatives arrested a 33-year-old passenger, identified as Eze Prince Emeka, along the Ibadan/Oyo Expressway in Oyo State during a routine stop-and-search operation on April 21, 2026.
According to NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the suspect was flagged after displaying unusual nervous behaviour and inconsistent responses when questioned by officers at the checkpoint.
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His movement and demeanor reportedly raised suspicion, prompting operatives to subject him to further screening.
A body scan was subsequently conducted, which confirmed he had ingested illicit drugs.
He was then placed under close observation, during which he excreted a total of 45 wraps of cocaine weighing approximately 1.043 kilograms over multiple sessions.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect intended to transport the drugs to Europe through a trans-Saharan trafficking route, with Algeria identified as a transit point after an initial stop in Sokoto.
The NDLEA said the arrest forms part of its intensified nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and smuggling operations.
Chairman of the agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended the officers involved and reiterated the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug networks and preventing Nigeria from being used as a transit hub for illicit substances.
He warned that traffickers would continue to face strict enforcement as the agency sustains its operations across the country.
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