NDLEA Arrests South African Woman with 36.65kg of Cocaine in Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) 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 Lagos-based car dealer over his alleged involvement in the operation.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the woman was arrested on October 7 while preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight to South Africa via Doha.
According to Babafemi, a search of her two travel bags led to the discovery of 30 blocks of cocaine weighing 36.65kg.
He said the drugs were concealed with dried pepper, wrapped in cellophane tape and packed into seven parcels.
During interrogation, Beauty reportedly told investigators that she arrived in Nigeria on September 30 specifically to collect the consignment.
She allegedly said another South African woman had recruited her and promised to pay her 20,000 rand upon successful delivery of the drugs.
The suspect reportedly identified two other people allegedly connected to the operation, including an individual based in the United States and a Lagos-based car dealer.
Babafemi said NDLEA operatives subsequently arrested the dealer, identified as 46-year-old Uchenna Victor Umunnakwe, on October 14 at Apple Junction, Ago Palace Way, Lagos, following surveillance at his residence in Shasha.
According to the agency, Umunnakwe admitted receiving Beauty at the airport and arranging her accommodation at Santiago Hotel in Amuwo-Odofin.
He allegedly moved her to Cynarisso Hotel near the airport ahead of her departure.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a 62-year-old Nigerian-American woman, Anetor Gloria Ubong, at the Lagos airport on October 21 after she arrived from Houston, United States.
The agency said 9.45kg of a high-grade cannabis strain known as loud was recovered from her luggage.
The NDLEA said investigations into the cases were ongoing as part of its efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks operating in Nigeria.
