NDLEA Arrests South African Woman with 5.75kg Heroin at Abuja Airport
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 38-year-old South African woman at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria.
The suspect was arrested on 6 July during the arrival clearance of passengers on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha. She had travelled with her three-year-old son and initially denied checking in any luggage.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, operatives established that two suitcases containing illicit drugs bore baggage tags that matched the claim tags attached to the suspect’s passport. She subsequently admitted ownership of the luggage after initially denying it.
A search of the bags led to the recovery of 14 parcels of heroin weighing 5.75 kilogrammes.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that she had travelled from Cambodia through Doha to Abuja.
The NDLEA said preliminary intelligence indicates that the suspect may be linked to a transnational drug trafficking network allegedly operating between Cambodia and South Africa.
The arrest is part of a series of major drug interceptions and anti-narcotics operations recently carried out by the agency across the country as it intensifies efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking.
