NDLEA arrests S’African with cocaine, grandma with cannabis

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) made significant arrests in October 2026, targeting drug trafficking in Nigeria. On October 7, a 34-year-old South African woman, Qhina Beauty, was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with 36.65 kilograms of cocaine concealed in her luggage. She was allegedly recruited by another woman to deliver the drugs, with the promise of a £20,000 reward.

Beauty claimed she was introduced to two other members of the syndicate, one from the United States and another based in Lagos. Her arrest was followed by the capture of a 46-year-old car dealer, Uchenna Victor Umunnakwe, who was found with cocaine at Apple Junction, Ago Palace Way, Lagos.

The investigation led to the arrest of a 62-year-old Nigerian-American grandmother, Anetor Ubong, on October 14. She was found with 9.45 kilograms of synthetic cannabis (loud) at the airport. Ubong, a realtor based in Texas with Nigerian and US passports, claimed the package was delivered to her home by her daughter and the daughter's future brother-in-law.

NDLEA operatives also intercepted a 62-year-old woman, Anetor Gloria Ubong, at the Lagos airport on October 21. She was apprehended with 9.45 kilograms of synthetic cannabis, concealed in gift wrapping paper.

The agency continued its operations nationwide, arresting suspects involved in drug trafficking. On October 23, a 41-year-old woman, Eletu Rasheedat, was apprehended in Eti Osa, Lagos, with an array of pharmaceutical drugs, including diazepam, tramadol, skunk, and skuchies. In Delta State, Peter Ugochukwu, a 51-year-old suspect, was arrested with large quantities of pharmaceutical opioids, including tramadol, tramadol 200mg tablets, codeine syrup, Rohypnol, diazepam, pentazocine injection, diazepam injection, tramadol 225mg, Molly, and Cocodamol.

Helen Bakporo Samson, a 46-year-old physically challenged woman, was arrested on October 19 in Warri with 6.0 kilograms of skunk. Lastly, a 41-year-old suspect, Fajana Dada Oluwaseyi, was apprehended on October 19 in Ibadan, with 197.8 kilograms of cannabis sativa.