NDLEA Smashes N3bn Heroin Syndicate,Seizes Explosives in Nationwide Sweep

​ABUJA – In a major blow to international drug trafficking networks, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a 30-year-old Brazilian woman at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, with heroin valued at over N3 billion.

​The suspect, Ingrid Rosa Benevides, who reportedly works as a private security guard in Brazil, was apprehended on Friday, January 23, 2026, upon her arrival via a Qatar Airways flight from Doha. Acting on processed intelligence, NDLEA operatives discovered 30.09 kilograms of white heroin ingeniously concealed within 21 factory-sealed coffee packets inside her luggage.

​This recovery marks the single largest heroin seizure in the history of the Abuja airport. During interrogation, Benevides claimed she was visiting Nigeria for a holiday, unaware that her “coffee” consignment would lead to her downfall.

​Explosives and Terror-Linked Logistics Intercepted

​Beyond the airport corridors, the Agency’s “War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA) campaign scored significant victories against domestic insecurity.

• ​Zaria/Kano/Kaduna: Operatives intercepted two bags containing 140 packets of explosives destined for Kano and Kaduna. The trail led to the arrests of Aminu Ali Baba (20) and Abdulrasheed Abubakar (28) in swift follow-up operations at motor parks in both cities.
• ​Borno State: In a move to choke the supply lines of terror groups, 179,590 pills of Tramadol and Diazepam were recovered from sacks of charcoal and animal feed coming from Potiskum.

​A Nationwide Crackdown

​The NDLEA’s relentless week-long operations spanned several states, revealing the diverse tactics used by traffickers:

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Lekki, Lagos: 1,848kg of “Ghana Loud” (Cannabis) Intercepted at Jakande beach via a wooden boat from Ghana.

MMIA, Lagos: 3,990 Opioid pills Hidden in food items by passengers heading to Istanbul.

Edo State: 681kg Skunk & Cannabis seeds Village Head, Chief James Abamu, and one other arrested.

Ekiti State: 62kg Skunk 72-year-old grandpa, Afolalu Joseph, and one other nabbed.

Ibadan, Oyo: 181.5 Litres of “Skuchies” Two suspects arrested at a local lounge.

Commendation for Professionalism​

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the “dexterity and professionalism” of the officers across the NAIA, MMIA, Marine, and state commands. He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to both drug supply reduction and community-based sensitization to protect Nigerian youth from the scourge of illicit substances.