The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested a 38-year-old South African woman at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, after officers allegedly discovered 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin concealed in her luggage during passenger clearance.
According to the agency, the suspect was intercepted on arrival aboard a Qatar Airways flight from Doha. NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said investigations linked the luggage to the passenger after officers matched the baggage tags with those attached to her travel documents. The agency added that the suspect is believed to be under investigation over alleged links to a transnational drug trafficking network operating between Cambodia and South Africa.
In a separate operation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, NDLEA officers also arrested a 48-year-old passenger arriving from Madagascar via Addis Ababa. A search reportedly uncovered multiple wraps of suspected methamphetamine concealed in his belongings, while additional suspected narcotics were later recovered during observation.
The agency said preliminary investigations suggest the suspect was recruited into drug trafficking by an overseas contact. Both suspects remain in NDLEA custody as investigations continue to determine the full circumstances surrounding the cases and identify other persons who may be connected to the alleged trafficking networks.
NDLEA reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations against illicit drug trafficking at the nation’s airports and other entry points, warning traffickers that security agencies remain vigilant against attempts to smuggle prohibited substances into the country.
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