The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 34-year-old South African woman, identified as Qhina Beauty, after allegedly discovering 36.65 kilogrammes of cocaine in her luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
According to the agency, the suspect was arrested on October 7, 2026, while preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight to South Africa via Doha.
A search of her two travel bags reportedly uncovered 30 blocks of cocaine concealed in seven parcels, wrapped in cellophane tape and mixed with dried pepper.
The NDLEA said the suspect told investigators that she arrived in Nigeria on September 30 to collect the consignment. She allegedly claimed that another South African woman recruited her and promised to pay her R20,000 upon successful delivery.
Further investigations reportedly led to the arrest of a 46-year-old Lagos-based car dealer, Uchenna Victor Umunnakwe, on October 14 over his alleged connection to the operation.
The agency said investigations into the suspected drug trafficking network are ongoing.
The arrest was disclosed in a statement by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi on Sunday, October 25, 2026.