NDLEA arrests South African woman, US-based grandma with drugs

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a series of significant arrests across different parts of Nigeria in October 2026, targeting the transportation and distribution of illicit drugs such as cocaine and synthetic cannabis.

At Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on October 7, 34-year-old South African woman, Qhina Beauty, was apprehended while attempting to board a flight to South Africa. She was found in possession of 36.65 kilograms of cocaine, concealed in seven separate parcels within her luggage. Beauty claimed to have been recruited by another South African, who promised her 20,000 Nigerian Naira upon successful delivery.

Two men involved in the operation were later arrested, including Uchenna Victor Umunnakwe, a 46-year-old car dealer, and a member of the syndicate based in the United States.

Further operations led to the arrest of Anetor Ubong, a 62-year-old Nigerian-American grandmother and realtor from Texas, who was intercepted with 9.45 kilograms of synthetic cannabis upon her return from Houston, Texas. The synthetic cannabis was concealed in gift wrapping paper within a box.

In another operation, a 62-year-old grandmother, Anetor Gloria Ubong, was also arrested at the Lagos airport with 9.45 kilograms of synthetic cannabis. She claimed the package was delivered to her home in the US by her daughter and her future brother-in-law, intended for onward delivery to her daughter's fiancé in Nigeria.

NDLEA operatives also intercepted a 41-year-old suspect, Peter Ugochukwu, 51, in Warri, Delta State, who was found in possession of a large quantity of pharmaceutical opioids, including 29,350 capsules of Tramadol, 6,620 tablets of Tramadol 200mg, 4,116 bottles of codeine syrup, and 11,340 tablets of Rohypnol.

An additional arrest was made in Ibadan, where a 41-year-old man named Fajana Dada Oluwaseyi was caught with 197.8 kilograms of cannabis sativa after initially eluding capture. The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.), emphasized the need for continued efforts in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.