NDLEA arrests S’African with 36.65kg cocaine at Lagos airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 34-year-old South African woman, Qhina Beauty, with 36.65 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The agency also arrested a 62-year-old Nigerian-American grandmother, Anetor Gloria Ubong, with 9.45kg of high-grade cannabis, known as loud, allegedly imported from the United States.

The arrests were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who said the seizures formed part of a series of anti-drug operations across several states.

According to the statement, Beauty was arrested on October 7 at the airport’s departure hall while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to South Africa via Doha.

A search of her two travelling bags led to the recovery of 30 blocks of cocaine weighing 36.65kg, concealed with dried pepper, wrapped in cellophane tape and packed in seven parcels.

“Qhina was arrested at the departure hall of the Lagos airport on 7th October 2026 while trying to board a Qatar Airways flight to South Africa via Doha. A search of her two travelling bags led to the recovery of 30 blocks of cocaine weighing 36.65kg, laced with dried pepper, wrapped in cellophane tape and packed into seven separate parcels,” Babafemi said.

During interrogation, Babafemi said the suspect reportedly stated that she had arrived in Nigeria on September 30 to collect the consignment and had been recruited by another South African woman who promised to pay her R20,000 upon successful delivery.

“During her interview, she told operatives she arrived in Nigeria on 30th September specifically to pick up the consignment. She said she was recruited by another South African lady, who promised her R20,000 on successful delivery. She claimed she was introduced to two other members of the syndicate: one based in the United States and the other a Lagos-based car dealer,” the statement said.

She also reportedly identified two other members of the alleged syndicate, one based in the United States and the other a Lagos-based car dealer.

“Investigations later led to the arrest, on 14th October, of the 46-year-old car dealer, Uchenna Victor Umunnakwe, who was intercepted at Apple Junction, Ago Palace Way, Lagos, after days of surveillance at his Shasha residence. He admitted receiving Qhina at the airport, lodging her at Santiago Hotel in Amuwo-Odofin, and later moving her to Cynarisso Hotel near the airport, ahead of her departure,” Babafemi added.

In a separate operation, Ubong, a realtor based in Richmond, Texas, who holds Nigerian and United States passports, was arrested on October 21 upon arriving at the Lagos airport aboard a United Airlines flight from Houston.

Babafemi said a search of her two checked-in boxes uncovered 18 parcels of loud weighing 9.45kg, concealed with gift-wrapping paper.

According to him, Ubong claimed that the box was delivered to her home in the US by her daughter and the daughter’s future brother-in-law for onward delivery in Nigeria to her daughter’s fiancé, identified as Jibola.

“Ubong, a realtor based in Richmond, Texas, who holds both Nigerian and US passports, was arrested following her arrival on a United Airlines flight from Houston.

“A search of her two checked-in boxes uncovered 18 parcels of loud, a synthetic cannabis weighing 9.45kg, concealed with gift-wrapping paper in a box. She claimed the box was delivered to her home in the US by her daughter and the daughter’s future brother-in-law, for onward delivery in Nigeria to her daughter’s fiancé, Jibola,” Babafemi said.

Beyond the airport arrests, NDLEA operatives recovered large quantities of illicit drugs and pharmaceutical opioids in operations across Lagos, Delta, Kano, Taraba, Niger, Bauchi, Ondo, Edo and Oyo states.

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In Lagos, operatives of the agency’s special operations unit arrested 41-year-old Eletu Rasheedat in the Eti-Osa area on October 23, recovering 5,820 pills of diazepam, 780 tablets of tramadol, 3.7kg of skunk and 230.25 litres of skuchies.

In Delta State, Babafemi said a 51-year-old suspect, Peter Ugochukwu, was arrested in Warri with 29,350 capsules of tramadol, 6,620 tablets of tramadol 200mg, 4,116 bottles of codeine syrup, 11,340 tablets of Rohypnol, 3,500 tablets of diazepam, 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection.

“Other substances recovered from him included quantities of tramadol 225mg, Molly and Cocodamol. He was transferred to the NDLEA alongside a white Hummer bus by the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State,” the statement added.

Also in Warri, Babafemi said a 46-year-old physically challenged woman, Helen Samson, was arrested on October 19 at Enhere Junction with 6kg of skunk.

In Oyo State, Babafemi said operatives arrested 41-year-old Fajana Dada Oluwaseyi on October 19 in the Adamasingba area of Ibadan. The agency said he had earlier escaped arrest when officers seized 197.8kg of cannabis from his residence on September 16.

In Kano State, he said a raid in the Gerawa area on October 22 led to the arrest of 30-year-old Murtala Lawan and the seizure of 159 blocks of cannabis weighing 97.2kg.

In Taraba State, he said officers arrested 39-year-old Raiyanu Misa at the Lankaviri checkpoint in Yorro Local Government Area on October 23 with 95 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 60.175kg. On the same day, the police handed over another suspect arrested at Dakka Village in Bali Local Government Area with 112 blocks weighing 81.49kg.

In Niger State, Babafemi said 26-year-old Emmanuel Ekene was arrested on October 19 along the Sabo-Kainji Road in Borgu Local Government Area with 64,000 pills of opioids, including tramadol and diazepam.

In Bauchi State, he said NDLEA operatives arrested 45-year-old Jamilu Mustapha, also known as Last Card, in Nasaru town, Ningi Local Government Area, on October 21 and seized 379kg of cannabis packed in seven large sacks.

Babafemi said the agency also recovered 583kg of abandoned cannabis in 56 bags during a raid on a farm at Board-Ala, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, on October 20.

In Edo State, he said two cannabis farms in Ugbada Forest, Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area, were destroyed on October 18.

According to him, the farms had an estimated yield of 2,023.14kg, while 450kg of processed cannabis was burnt at the site and 97kg was taken as exhibits.

He said a 42-year-old suspect, Mary Edokhai, was also arrested in Ewe community, Owan West, with 35kg of cannabis.

The agency’s Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the affected commands for their vigilance, professionalism and intelligence-led operations.

Marwa urged them and their colleagues nationwide to sustain the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse, according to the statement.