The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a Brazilian national, Ingrid Rosa Benevides, over an attempt to smuggle heroin worth more than N3 billion into Nigeria.
This is according to a statement issued by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
The 30-year-old lady was arrested on Friday, January 23, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following intelligence-led operations by NDLEA operatives
The NDLEA disclosed that Benevides arrived in Nigeria aboard a Qatar Airways flight QR1431 from Brazil. A search of her two checked-in bags revealed 21 factory-sealed packs of Brazilian coffee. However, further examination revealed that the packs did not contain coffee.
When the sealed coffee packs were opened, NDLEA officers found white substances that were later tested and confirmed to be heroin. The total weight of the seized drugs was put at 30.09 kilograms, with an estimated street value of over N3 billion.
“A total of 30.09 kilograms of white heroin concealed in factory-sealed coffee packs worth over N3 billion in street value,” they stated
The Agency said the suspect, who works as a private security officer in Brazil, claimed during preliminary interrogation that she brought the consignment under the guise of visiting Nigeria for holidays.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted two passengers, Adediran Adedoyin and Afatakpa Ochuko, on Tuesday, January 20, while attempting to travel to Istanbul, Turkey.
The Agency said a total of 3,990 pills of tapentadol and tramadol were recovered from their luggage, concealed inside food items.
Across several states, the Agency reported multiple arrests and seizures, including:
The NDLEA said several suspects are currently in custody, while investigations and prosecutions are ongoing.
The arrest of the Brazilian national is part of a recurring pattern of foreign-linked drug trafficking cases uncovered by the NDLEA at Nigeria’s international airports.