Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 38-year-old businessman, Philip Tunde, with 4.80 kilogrammes of cocaine allegedly concealed in the soles of shoes and the railings of travelling bags at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Tunde was arrested on September 27, 2026, at the joint screening point of Terminal 2 while preparing to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Milan, Italy.
Key Highlights
- NDLEA arrests 38-year-old businessman at Lagos airport.
- Operatives recover 4.80kg of cocaine allegedly concealed in shoes and travelling bags.
- Suspect was reportedly travelling to Milan, Italy.
- NDLEA says the suspect allegedly paid N16 million for cocaine hidden in shoes.
- Agency also intercepts Thai Loud and codeine-based syrup consignments at Lagos and Rivers ports.
- Drug seizures at the ports were valued at more than N5 billion.
According to the NDLEA, a search conducted by its operatives led to the recovery of 16 parcels of a white powdery substance concealed in the soles of eight pairs of trainers and canvas shoes.
Another 195 wraps of the substance were allegedly hidden in the railings of four travelling bags.
The agency said the substances tested positive for cocaine, with a combined weight of 4.80kg.
During his interview with NDLEA operatives, Tunde allegedly stated that he paid N16 million in cash for the cocaine concealed in the shoes.
He also allegedly told investigators that the consignment hidden in the bags was intended for delivery to his partner in Italy.
The suspect reportedly said he raised the money from compensation he received after sustaining an injury while working at a plastic manufacturing company in Italy, where he lost the tips of two fingers.
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The NDLEA disclosed the arrest alongside separate interceptions of illicit drug consignments at seaports in Lagos and Rivers states.
The agency said its operatives at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and Onne ports intercepted consignments of Thai Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, and codeine-based syrup valued at more than N5 billion.
NDLEA Seizes Thai Loud at Apapa Port
At Apapa Port, NDLEA operatives, acting on intelligence, subjected two containers from Bangkok, Thailand, to 100 per cent examination in collaboration with Customs officials and other stakeholders.
A search of one of the containers reportedly led to the discovery of 161 parcels of Thai Loud weighing 124kg and valued at N372 million.
The cannabis was allegedly concealed inside two refrigerators and two cartons.
At the Onne Port in Rivers State, two containers placed on the NDLEA watchlist following intelligence gathering were also subjected to joint examination with Customs and other security agencies.
The agency said the seizures followed months of intelligence gathering and tracking of the shipments from their ports of origin.
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