The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 34-year-old South African woman, Qhina Beauty, with 36.65 kilogrammes of cocaine and a 62-year-old Nigerian-American woman, Anetor Ubong, with 9.45kg of cannabis at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The arrests were disclosed on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who said the operations were part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse in Nigeria.
According to Babafemi, Qhina was arrested on October 7 while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to South Africa through Doha, Qatar.
A search of her two travel bags reportedly led to the discovery of 30 blocks of cocaine weighing 36.65kg. The drugs were allegedly concealed with dried pepper, wrapped in cellophane tape and packed into seven parcels.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly told investigators that she arrived in Nigeria on September 30 to collect the drugs. She allegedly disclosed that another South African woman recruited her and promised to pay her R20,000 after successfully delivering the consignment.
Qhina also reportedly identified two other alleged members of the drug trafficking network, including an individual based in the United States and a car dealer operating in Lagos.
Further investigations led to the arrest of the car dealer, 46-year-old Uchenna Umunnakwe, on October 14 at Apple Junction, Ago Palace Way, Lagos.
The NDLEA said Umunnakwe admitted receiving Qhina at the airport and arranging accommodation for her at Santiago Hotel in Amuwo-Odofin. He allegedly moved her to Cynarisso Hotel near the airport ahead of her scheduled departure.
US-Based Nigerian Woman Arrested With Cannabis
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested 62-year-old Anetor Ubong on October 21 after she arrived in Lagos aboard a United Airlines flight from Houston, Texas, in the United States.
Ubong, who reportedly works as a realtor in Richmond, Texas, holds both Nigerian and American passports.
A search of her luggage allegedly uncovered 18 parcels of cannabis, commonly known as loud, weighing 9.45kg. The substance was reportedly concealed in gift-wrapping paper.
During questioning, she allegedly claimed that her daughter and her daughter’s future brother-in-law brought the package to her residence in the United States for onward delivery to her daughter’s fiancé in Nigeria.
The agency said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shipment were ongoing.
More Arrests, Drug Seizures Across States
Beyond the arrests at Lagos airport, the NDLEA reported several other operations resulting in the recovery of cannabis, opioids and other controlled substances across different parts of the country.
In Lagos State, operatives arrested 41-year-old Eletu Rasheedat in the Eti-Osa area on October 23.
Items recovered from her reportedly included 5,820 diazepam pills, 780 tramadol tablets, 3.7kg of skunk cannabis and 230.25 litres of a locally produced alcoholic mixture known as skuchies.
In Delta State, a 51-year-old man, Peter Ugochukwu, was arrested in Warri with quantities of tramadol, codeine syrup, Rohypnol, diazepam and other substances.
Another suspect, 46-year-old Helen Bakporo Samson, who lives with a disability, was arrested at Enhere Junction in Warri on October 19 with 6kg of skunk cannabis.
In Oyo State, officers arrested 41-year-old Fajana Dada Oluwaseyi in Ibadan on October 19. The agency alleged that he had escaped arrest in September when 197.8kg of cannabis was recovered from his residence.
In Kano State, 30-year-old Murtala Lawan was arrested on October 22 with 97.2kg of cannabis. Similarly, 39-year-old Raiyanu Misa was apprehended in Taraba State on October 23 with 60.175kg of the substance.
The NDLEA also reported the arrest of 26-year-old Emmanuel Ekene in Niger State, where officers allegedly recovered 64,000 opioid pills, including tramadol and diazepam.
In Bauchi State, operatives arrested 45-year-old Jamilu Mustapha, popularly known as Last Card, with 379kg of cannabis.
Cannabis Farms Destroyed In Ondo, Edo
The agency also recorded significant seizures and destruction of cannabis farms in Ondo and Edo states.
In Ondo State, NDLEA officers recovered 583kg of cannabis from a farm in Akure South Local Government Area.
In Edo State, operatives destroyed two cannabis farms in Ugbada Forest, Owan West Local Government Area. The farms were estimated to have a combined yield of 2,023.14kg of cannabis.
Another suspect, 42-year-old Mary Edokhai, was arrested in Edo State with 35kg of cannabis.
Marwa Commends NDLEA Officers
Reacting to the series of operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers involved in the arrests and seizures.
Marwa urged personnel of the agency to sustain their efforts against drug trafficking and substance abuse, stressing the importance of continued enforcement operations across the country.
The latest arrests and seizures underscore the agency’s ongoing efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks, intercept illicit substances at Nigeria’s entry points and prevent the distribution of dangerous drugs within the country.
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