The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide offensive against illicit drug trafficking with a series of major operations that led to the arrest of a South African woman allegedly attempting to smuggle heroin into Nigeria, the interception of a Nigerian drug courier at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and the seizure of over N10.3 billion worth of synthetic cannabis at the Apapa Seaport.
The anti-narcotics agency also disclosed that it thwarted an attempt to export cannabis concealed inside industrial equipment to Cyprus while sustaining its nationwide anti-drug advocacy campaign in schools and communities across the country.
The latest operations were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, who said the arrests and seizures underscored the agency’s determination to dismantle international drug trafficking syndicates operating through Nigeria.
According to the statement, one of the major breakthroughs occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where NDLEA operatives arrested a 38-year-old South African woman, identified as Will Ann, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 5.75 kilograms of heroin into the country.
The suspect was apprehended on Monday, July 6, 2026, during the inward clearance of passengers arriving aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR1433 from Doha.
NDLEA said the suspect was travelling with her three-year-old son and initially denied having any checked-in luggage upon arrival.
However, operatives became suspicious and carried out further checks, which revealed that two unattended suitcases bearing baggage tags corresponded with the claim tags attached to the suspect’s passport.
Following the discovery, the agency said the suspect admitted ownership of the luggage after initially denying any connection to the bags.
A thorough search of the suitcases allegedly uncovered 14 large blocks of heroin carefully concealed inside.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the arrest, the agency stated that the suspect claimed she had travelled from Cambodia through Doha before arriving in Abuja.
The NDLEA said intelligence gathered during preliminary investigations indicated that the woman was allegedly linked to a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating between Cambodia and South Africa.
According to investigators, the network is believed to be coordinated by the suspect alongside her husband and partner, identified as Jan Coenraad De Jager.
The agency noted that investigations were continuing to uncover the full extent of the international trafficking network and identify other collaborators.
In another operation, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, arrested a 48-year-old commercial motorcycle operator, Onyechere Chinadu, shortly after he arrived from Madagascar via Addis Ababa aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
According to the agency, an initial search of the suspect’s backpack led to the discovery of 87 wraps of methamphetamine concealed inside clothing.
During interrogation, Chinadu reportedly confessed that he had spent about 15 years working as an okada rider in Lagos before he was allegedly recruited into international drug trafficking by an associate based in Uganda.
The suspect further disclosed that he had ingested multiple pellets of methamphetamine in Uganda before embarking on a journey to Madagascar, where he was expected to deliver the illicit consignment.
However, NDLEA said the suspect was denied entry into Madagascar by immigration authorities, prompting his handlers to reroute him to Lagos.
On arrival in Nigeria, he was immediately intercepted by NDLEA operatives.
Because the suspect could not accurately state the number of drug pellets he had swallowed, the agency said he was placed under medical observation.
Between the date of his arrest and July 11, Chinadu reportedly excreted an additional 13 pellets of methamphetamine, bringing the total quantity recovered from him to 100 wraps weighing approximately 1.715 kilograms.
The agency described the operation as another significant success in disrupting international drug trafficking routes exploiting African transit points.
Meanwhile, at the Apapa Seaport in Lagos, NDLEA recorded what it described as one of its largest seizures in recent times after intercepting a shipment containing 8,287 bags of Canadian Loud, a potent synthetic cannabis strain.
The illicit consignment weighed approximately 4,143.5 kilograms and has an estimated street value exceeding N10.3 billion.
According to the agency, the seizure followed weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated monitoring of the shipment from its point of departure in Montreal, Canada.
The operation involved the Maritime Intelligence Unit of the NDLEA working closely with the Apapa Strategic Command of the agency.
The container was eventually subjected to a joint examination involving NDLEA officers, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies operating at the seaport.
The examination confirmed the presence of the concealed narcotics, leading to the seizure of the entire shipment.
Babafemi explained that the successful interception demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and inter-agency collaboration in combating international drug trafficking.
In a related development, the NDLEA also foiled an attempt to smuggle 2.5 kilograms of skunk out of Nigeria through a courier company in Lagos.
The illicit substance had reportedly been concealed inside a gas compressor and was destined for Cyprus before vigilant operatives uncovered the concealment during routine cargo screening.
Beyond enforcement activities, the agency said it continued to intensify public awareness campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse initiative.
According to the statement, sensitisation lectures were organised in several secondary schools across Ebonyi, Kano, Ekiti and Ogun states as part of efforts to educate young people about the dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The agency also disclosed that the leadership of its Zone 14 Command paid an advocacy visit to the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, as part of broader stakeholder engagement aimed at strengthening community participation in the fight against drug abuse.
Commending the officers and commands involved in the various operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, praised their professionalism, vigilance and commitment to duty.
Marwa noted that the recent successes reflected the agency’s unwavering resolve to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates while simultaneously addressing drug demand through sustained public enlightenment.
He urged officers across the country not to relent in their efforts, stressing that the fight against illicit drugs requires continuous vigilance, intelligence-driven operations and strong collaboration with local and international partners.
The NDLEA boss further charged all commands nationwide to build on their recent achievements by sustaining the momentum in both drug supply reduction and preventive education, describing the dual approach as essential to protecting communities from the devastating effects of drug abuse and organised criminal networks.
