Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a newlywed businessman, Lovely Chukwulobelu, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, for attempting to traffic 72 wraps of cocaine which he ingested, to Portugal where he resides.
A statement issued on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA director of media and advocacy, said the 25-year-old Chukwulobelu was intercepted by NDLEA officers at the departure hall of the Enugu airport on Thursday 25th September 2026, with 72 wraps of cocaine, which he had ingested, in his gut.
Wearing his new wedding ring, the businessman was arrested while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to Portugal via Addis Ababa.
“He was subsequently placed under excretion observation, during which he egested a total of 72 wraps of the Class A illicit drug,” Babafemi said.
The suspect, who claimed he was into car decoration business at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo area of Lagos before he relocated to Portugal in May 2023, said he returned to Nigeria recently to get married on 13th September 2026.
He said he resorted to the criminal trade to offset expenses incurred during his wedding.
