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.
