Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 34-year-old South African woman, Qhina Beauty, with 36.65kg of cocaine and a 62-year-old Nigerian-American grandmother, Gloria Ubong with 9.45kg of cannabis also known as “loud” in separate airport operations in Lagos, as it intensifies nationwide raids on drug trafficking and illicit substance distribution.

The agency arrested the 34-year-old Qhina Beauty on October 7, 2026, at the departure hall of Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, as she prepared to board a Qatar Airways flight to South Africa via Doha.The cocaine was reportedly concealed in her travel bags. Further investigations led to the arrest of a 46-year-old Lagos car dealer, Uchenna Victor Umunnakwe, allegedly linked to the shipment.

Ubong was arrested in October 21 after arriving in Lagos from Houston, United States. A search of her checked-in luggage reportedly uncovered 9.45kg of cannabis. Ubong, a realtor based in Richmond, Texas, holds Nigerian and United States passports. A search of her two checked-in boxes uncovered 18 parcels containing 9.45kg of liud

In Delta State, operatives also arrested 46-year-old Helen Bakporo Samson, a physically challenged woman, at Enhere Junction, Warri with 6kg of skunk.

The agency also reported arrests and seizures of illicit drugs in Lagos, Delta, Edo, Kano, Niger, Bauchi, Oyo, Taraba and Ondo states as part of coordinated operations against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (rtd), commended officers from the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Kano, Lagos, Delta, Edo, Niger, Bauchi, Oyo, Taraba and Ondo commands for their vigilance and professionalism.