The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 30-year-old Brazilian woman, Ms Ingrid Rosa Benevides, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for attempting to smuggle a large consignment of heroin into Nigeria.
The suspect was arrested on Friday, January 23, 2026, shortly after she arrived in Abuja aboard a Qatar Airways flight with number QR1431. The agency said the arrest followed careful intelligence gathering and close surveillance by its operatives.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Director of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest and described it as a major breakthrough in the fight against international drug trafficking.
According to the NDLEA, officers on duty at the Abuja airport became suspicious during routine checks on passengers arriving from international destinations. The Brazilian national, who presented herself as a tourist, was singled out for further screening.
Babafemi said the suspect checked in two large suitcases, which immediately raised suspicion among NDLEA operatives due to intelligence reports received ahead of the flight’s arrival.
“Upon a thorough search of the two suitcases checked in by the suspect, officers discovered 21 sealed packs carefully labelled as Brazilian coffee,” the statement said.
However, further examination of the packs showed that they did not contain coffee as claimed. Instead, laboratory tests later confirmed that the white substance inside the packs was heroin.
The total weight of the illicit drug was put at 30.09 kilograms. The NDLEA estimated that the street value of the seized heroin is more than N3 billion, making it one of the most valuable drug seizures recorded in recent times.
The agency also revealed that the seizure represents the largest single heroin interception ever made at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport since it began operations.
Babafemi said the drugs were carefully concealed and packaged to avoid detection, a tactic commonly used by international drug syndicates.
“The suspect used sealed coffee packs to disguise the drugs, a method often employed by traffickers to beat security checks,” he said.
During preliminary interrogation, Ms Benevides reportedly told NDLEA officers that she came to Nigeria on holiday. However, investigators believe she was acting as a courier for an international drug trafficking network.
The NDLEA disclosed that the suspect is a private security operative in Brazil, a detail that has further deepened investigations into how criminal networks recruit individuals to move drugs across borders.
The NDLEA said investigations are ongoing to uncover other members of the drug syndicate, including those who may be operating within Nigeria and across other countries.
The agency also said it is working closely with international partners to trace the source of the drugs and identify the final destination of the consignment.
Drug trafficking remains a major challenge for Nigeria, especially with its growing role as a transit point for drugs moving between South America, Europe, Asia and other parts of Africa.
In recent years, Nigerian airports have recorded several high-profile drug seizures involving cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other dangerous substances.
The NDLEA has repeatedly warned that drug trafficking fuels crime, insecurity and health problems, including addiction and mental illness, especially among young people.
Speaking on the arrest, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and dedication.
He said the agency would continue to strengthen intelligence-led operations and deploy modern technology to block drug traffickers from using Nigeria as a transit or destination country.
“This arrest shows that Nigeria is no longer a safe route for drug traffickers,” Marwa said. “We will continue to work with local and international partners to protect the country from the dangers of illicit drugs.”
He also warned that anyone involved in drug trafficking, regardless of nationality or status, would face the full weight of the law.
The arrest comes amid renewed efforts by the NDLEA to tighten security at airports, seaports and land borders across the country.
In recent months, the agency has recorded several arrests and seizures, including the interception of drugs hidden in food items, clothing, electronics and personal luggage.
The NDLEA has also stepped up public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians about the dangers of drug abuse and the severe penalties associated with drug trafficking.
At the Abuja airport, NDLEA officers have intensified checks on inbound and outbound passengers, using intelligence reports, profiling and physical inspections.
Aviation security sources say the seizure has further exposed the scale and sophistication of international drug trafficking operations.
Residents and travellers at the airport expressed shock over the volume of drugs intercepted, with many praising the NDLEA for its vigilance.
“This is a very big seizure,” a traveller said. “It shows that security agencies are doing their job.”
The suspect is currently in NDLEA custody and is expected to be charged to court after investigations are completed.
If convicted, she faces a long prison term under Nigeria’s drug laws.
The NDLEA urged members of the public to support its efforts by reporting suspicious activities related to drug trafficking and abuse.
As investigations continue, the agency said it remains committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s airports do not become gateways for dangerous drugs that threaten public health and national security.
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