The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 48-year-old Lagos-based businessman allegedly on his way to India with 1.550 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in the walls and railings of his travelling bag, as operatives intensified nationwide raids on drug trafficking networks.

The suspect, identified as Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal II of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to New Delhi, India.

Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday said his arrest was one of a string of major operations conducted by the anti-narcotics agency across Lagos, Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Delta states, resulting in the seizure of large quantities of cocaine, cannabis, opioids, codeine-based syrup, methamphetamine and other controlled substances.

In Lagos alone, NDLEA operatives recovered 377,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup valued at more than N2.6 billion, while another operation led to the seizure of 324 kilogrammes of Colorado, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis, with an estimated street value of N972 million.

The latest operations further underscored the agency’s continuing campaign against both the supply and demand sides of the illicit drug trade.

The NDLEA said Onyebuchi, who deals in marble in Lagos, had the cocaine factory-fitted into the walls and railings of his check-in bag in an apparent attempt to evade detection.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed that he had liquidated his marble business and other assets to raise N23 million to purchase the consignment.

He reportedly told investigators that he expected to sell the cocaine in India for as much as N100 million.

His arrest, however, brought the alleged plan to an abrupt end, leaving the businessman in NDLEA custody pending prosecution.

The airport arrest came as operatives also dismantled a major codeine distribution network in Lagos.

Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA officers raided a warehouse located inside a residential compound at 20 Hakeem Dosumu Street, Ago Palace area of Okota, between Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8.

The operation uncovered 3,776 cartons containing 377,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup, with the consignment estimated to be worth more than N2.6 billion.

The agency also reported another major breakthrough in Lagos following a raid on the residence of a 55-year-old alleged drug kingpin, Shoremi Kayode, at 37 Ogundare Street, Ipaja Estate, Ipaja.

The operation, conducted on August 14, led to the recovery of 324 kilogrammes of Colorado, with an estimated street value of N972 million.