NDLEA: Businessman sells assets for N23m cocaine deal, arrested at Lagos airport
By Chris Steven
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have arrested a 48-year-old businessman Nwankwo Onyebuchi while allegedly heading to New Delhi, India, with 1.550 kilograms of cocaine “cleverly concealed” within the side walls and railings of his bag.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said Onyebuchi, who reportedly liquidated all his assets “to chase a dream of quick riches in the illicit drug trade”, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.
“Nwankwo who deals in marbles in Lagos was arrested at the departure hall of terminal II of the Lagos airport while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to New Delhi, India,” the statement reads.
“A search of his check-in bag uncovered 1.550 kilograms of cocaine factory-fitted in the walls and railings of his bag.
“In a candid confession that lays bare the desperation that fuels the drug trade, Nwankwo said he had sold off his marble business and every asset he owned to raise the N23 million he paid for the consignment, with the expectation of selling it in India for as much as N100 million.”
Babafemi said the suspect remains in custody awaiting prosecution and likely time in jail.
He added that operatives, in another operation, raided a warehouse within a residential compound at 20 Hakeem Dosumu street Ago Palace area of Okota, Lagos, where a “massive stockpile” of codeine-based syrup was discovered.
According to him, a total of 3,776 cartons, comprising 377,600 bottles of the controlled substance, valued at over N2.6 billion, were recovered between Friday 7th and Saturday 8th August 2026.
“In yet another intelligence-led operation, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 14th August raided the residence of a 55-year-old kingpin Shoremi Kayode, at 37 Ogundare street, Ipaja estate, Ipaja area of Lagos, recovering 324 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a street value of N972,000,000,” he added.
“Also recovered from the suspect were a Mercedes-Benz car and a Toyota Corolla car.”