The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 34-year-old South African woman, Qhina Beauty, after she was caught with 36.65 kilograms of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement on Sunday that Qhina was intercepted on October 7, 2026 at the 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, laced with dried pepper, wrapped in cello tape and packed into seven separate parcels.
During interrogation, she said she arrived in Nigeria on September 30 specifically to pick up the consignment and was recruited by another South African lady who promised her R20,000 on successful delivery.
She claimed she was introduced to two other members of the syndicate – one based in the United States and the other a Lagos-based car dealer.
Following intelligence, NDLEA operatives on October 14 arrested the car dealer, Uchenna Victor Umunnakwe, 46, at Apple Junction, Ago Palace Way, Lagos, after days of surveillance at his Shasha residence.
Umunnakwe admitted receiving Qhina at the airport, lodging her at Santiago Hotel in Amuwo-Odofin, and later moving her to Cynarisso Hotel near the airport ahead of her departure.