Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 34-year-old South African woman, Qhina Beauty, with 36.65 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed with dried pepper in her travelling bags at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The suspect was arrested on October 7, 2026, at the airport’s departure hall while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to South Africa via Doha.
According to a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, Femi Babafemi, a search of her two travelling bags led to the discovery of 30 blocks of cocaine weighing 36.65 kilogrammes. The drugs were wrapped in cellophane tape, concealed with dried pepper and packed into seven separate parcels.
During interrogation, Beauty reportedly told NDLEA operatives that she arrived in Nigeria on September 30 specifically to collect the consignment.
She disclosed that another South African woman recruited her for the operation, promising to pay her 20,000 South African rand upon successful delivery.
The suspect also identified two other alleged members of the trafficking network, including an individual based in the United States and a Lagos-based car dealer.
Further investigations led to the arrest of the 46-year-old car dealer, Uchenna Victor Umunnakwe, on October 14 at Apple Junction, Ago Palace Way, Lagos, following days of surveillance at his residence in Shasha.
Umunnakwe reportedly admitted receiving Beauty at the airport and arranging accommodation for her at Santiago Hotel in Amuwo-Odofin before moving her to Cynarisso Hotel near the airport ahead of her planned departure.
The arrests followed investigations into the attempted movement of the cocaine consignment out of Nigeria, with NDLEA operatives working to establish the roles of other alleged members of the network.