A 38‑year‑old entrepreneur, Philip Tunde, was taken into custody by agents of the [National Drug Law Enforcement Agency](https://ndlea.gov.ng) after authorities say about 4.8 kg of cocaine was discovered in his luggage at Lagos’s [Murtala Muhammed International Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murtala_Muhammad_International_Airport).
The agency reported that Tunde was detained on 27 September at the joint screening area of Terminal 2 while he was about to board a [Royal Air Maroc](https://www.royalairmaroc.com) flight bound for Milan, Italy.
Investigators claim the drugs were hidden in sixteen parcels, placed inside eight pairs of trainers and canvas shoes, and an additional 195 wraps were allegedly tucked into the frames of four travel bags.
During questioning, Tunde is said to have admitted paying N16 million for the cocaine concealed in the footwear, while the portion hidden in the bags was intended for a contact in Italy.
He further alleged that the money originated from compensation he received after losing the tips of two fingers in an accident while employed at a plastic‑manufacturing plant in Italy.
The NDLEA also disclosed other large drug busts at ports in Lagos and Rivers State, including more than 1.2 tonnes of Canadian hashish, 124 kg of Thai heroin and 109,600 bottles of codeine‑based cough syrup.
[Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Buba_Marwa) (retired), the chairman of the agency, praised the officers involved and urged continued intelligence‑driven action against drug‑trafficking networks.