Nigeria’s anti-drug agency says the suspect was allegedly carrying cocaine concealed in two travel bags while preparing to fly to South Africa via Doha.
A 34-year-old South African woman has been arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos with 36.65 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine, Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says.
The agency identified the suspect as Qhina Beauty, who was arrested on 7 October at the airport’s departure hall while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to South Africa via Doha.
Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s director of media and advocacy, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Sunday.
According to Babafemi, a search of the suspect’s two travel bags led to the discovery of 30 blocks of cocaine, concealed alongside dried pepper.
He said the drugs were wrapped in cellophane tape and packed into seven parcels.
The NDLEA did not provide further details about the suspect’s intended destination beyond South Africa or indicate whether additional arrests had been made in connection with the seizure.
Nigeria remains a key transit point in international drug trafficking routes, prompting authorities to intensify efforts to intercept illicit substances at airports and other entry and exit points.
The agency has repeatedly warned drug traffickers that it will continue to target attempts to smuggle narcotics through the country’s international airports.
