Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman, Mr Uche Franklin Onyekwere, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, for allegedly concealing cocaine on his body and inside his footwear.
The suspect, aged 47, was arrested on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the airport’s arrival hall during the inward clearance of passengers on a South African Airways flight from Brazil via Johannesburg, following what the agency described as actionable intelligence.
Body Scan Leads to Discovery
In a statement issued on Sunday, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, said a body scan conducted on Onyekwere confirmed the presence of illicit drugs, prompting a strip search.
According to the statement, a large parcel of white powdery substance, which later tested positive for cocaine, was discovered wrapped around the suspect’s right thigh during the search.
Babafemi disclosed that further examination revealed additional wraps of the same substance concealed in the soles 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,” the statement said.
Suspect’s Alleged Confession
Akahi News learnt that during a preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted purchasing the drugs in Brazil with the intention of reselling them in Nigeria.
According to the NDLEA, Onyekwere allegedly said the proceeds were meant to raise capital to boost his business and also fund the naming ceremony of his newborn child.
The agency further disclosed that the suspect resides in Rua Ever, Mulariuha, São Paulo, Brazil, where he has reportedly lived since 2008 and has been operating a toy business for about nine years.
Major Cannabis Seizure at Tincan Seaport
In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the Tincan Seaport, Lagos, intercepted a massive consignment of cannabis reportedly imported from Canada.
Babafemi said a total of 55 jumbo bags of Canadian Loud — a potent strain of cannabis — weighing 1,183 kilograms were discovered on Wednesday, January 28, during a joint examination of a container by NDLEA officers, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
The illicit consignment was allegedly concealed inside two vehicles — a Hyundai SUV and a Toyota Matrix car — shipped from Montreal, Canada.
Renewed Crackdown on Drug Trafficking
Analysts note that the arrests and seizures underscore intensified efforts by the NDLEA to curb drug trafficking through Nigeria’s airports and seaports. Akahi News gathered that investigations into both cases are ongoing, with suspects expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of preliminary inquiries.
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