NDLEA nabs Brazilian woman in Abuja Airport over alleged 30kg heroin smuggling

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have recorded a significant breakthrough in Abuja following the arrest of a 30-year-old Brazilian national, Ingrid Rosa Benevides, for allegedly attempting to smuggle a large quantity of heroin into Nigeria.

The suspect was apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Friday, January 23, 2026, shortly after arriving aboard a Qatar Airways flight (QR1431). According to NDLEA officials, Benevides was placed under surveillance based on actionable intelligence before her arrival in the country.

NDLEA also described the haul as the largest heroin seizure ever made at the Abuja airport.

During preliminary questioning, Benevides, who reportedly works as a private security officer in Brazil, claimed she travelled to Nigeria on holiday. The agency said investigations were ongoing to determine the origin of the shipment and the network behind the attempted importation.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, intercepted two passengers attempting to travel to Istanbul, Turkey, with suspected opioids concealed in food packs.

The suspects were identified as Adediran Adedoyin and Afatakpa Ochuko. Officials said they were arrested on Tuesday, January 20, while boarding a Turkish Airlines flight. A search of their luggage reportedly led to the discovery of 3,990 pills of tapentadol 250mg and tramaking 225mg hidden among food items packed in their bags.

Also in Lagos, NDLEA’s Marine Command recovered a large cannabis consignment after intercepting a wooden boat at Jakande Beach, Lekki.

The agency said the operation was carried out around 1am on Thursday, January 22, following actionable intelligence. NDLEA officers reportedly stormed the beach and recovered 44 jumbo bags of “Ghana Loud,” a high-strength strain of cannabis, weighing 1,848 kilograms. The boat used to convey the drugs was also seized.

Babafemi said the series of arrests and seizures reflects the NDLEA’s intensified clampdown on drug trafficking syndicates exploiting Nigeria’s airports, borders and waterways for illicit trade.

He added that suspects connected to the cases will be charged in court at the conclusion of ongoing investigations.