Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia, Mr. Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, over a 5.80-kilogram cocaine consignment concealed in cartons of Orijin bitters and destined for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In a statement issued on Sunday, July 5, 2026, by the Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency said the arrest was made on Monday, June 29, 2026, during a sting operation in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to NDLEA, the breakthrough followed the interception of 36 parcels of cocaine with a gross weight of 5.80kg. The drugs were hidden inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin bitters, which were part of a consolidated cargo heading to Kuala Lumpur.
Four other suspects were earlier arrested in parts of Lagos during the investigation. They include: Alalade Taiwo Azeez, the cargo agent; Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi, the driver who conveyed the consignment to the cargo agent; Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie, a trader at ASPANDA market, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, who handed the consignment to the driver; and Igwilo Chidi Henry, an accomplice who supplied the cartons of Orijin bitters used to conceal the cocaine.
Further investigations led operatives to unmask Nwabueze as the alleged mastermind of the syndicate. He was arrested hiding in his village, Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State.
The agency said the seizure and arrests are part of ongoing efforts to dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks using legitimate cargo channels to move illicit drugs abroad.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer retired Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the officers and men of the Agency for their effort and charged them to do more.