Businessman from Brazil caught with cocaine in shirts and towels

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested a businessman based in Brazil, Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu. He was caught bringing in shirts and towels soaked with 6.10 kilograms of liquid cocaine into Nigeria from Brazil.

The agency said the 41-year-old suspect was taken into custody at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos. He arrived on June 11 from São Paulo, Brazil, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

A statement from the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, explained that officials searched the suspect’s bags. They found 14 towels and shirts soaked in liquid cocaine. The items were dried and neatly ironed to hide the drugs.

Babafemi said, “A 41-year-old São Paulo, Brazil-based businessman, Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for importing shirts and towels impregnated with 6.10 kilograms of liquid cocaine from the South American country into Nigeria.

“Abugu was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, upon arrival from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight on Thursday, June 11, 2026. A thorough search of his luggage led to the recovery of 14 towels and shirts, all soaked in liquid cocaine, dried and well ironed.”

He reportedly told investigators that he had lived in Brazil for over 14 years. He runs an African restaurant there.

“The suspect claims he has lived for over 14 years in Brazil, where he runs an African restaurant. He added that he was in Nigeria to see his wife and buy foodstuff in bulk for his restaurant,” the statement read.