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[CRIME] · Nigeria, South Africa, United States · 25 sources

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Part of situation: Thailand-UK cannabis smuggling investigation (2 clusters)

NDLEA arrests South African woman and US-based grandmother in Lagos drug busts

NDLEA drug trafficking cocaine seizure Murtala Muhammed International Airport cannabis

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has conducted several major drug interdiction operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, resulting in the arrest of two women for international trafficking.

Qhina Beauty, a 34-year-old South African national, was arrested on October 7 while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to South Africa via Doha. Authorities recovered 36.65 kilograms of cocaine, consisting of 30 blocks concealed in seven parcels. The drugs were reportedly wrapped in cellophane tape and mixed with dried pepper. Beauty allegedly claimed she was recruited by another South African woman with a promise of R20,000 for the delivery.

Following investigations into Beauty's movements, the NDLEA arrested 46-year-old Uchenna Victor Umunnakwe, a Lagos-based car dealer, on October 14. He allegedly admitted to receiving Beauty at the airport and arranging her hotel accommodations.

In a separate operation on October 21, the agency arrested 62-year-old Anetor Gloria Ubong, a Nigerian-American realtor from Richmond, Texas. Upon her arrival from Houston via United Airlines, officials discovered 9.45 kilograms of a synthetic cannabis strain known as ‘loud’ concealed in gift-wrapping paper within her checked luggage. Ubong reportedly stated the package was intended for her daughter’s fiancé in Nigeria.

Entities

Anetor Gloria Ubong · Birmingham Airport · Birmingham Crown Court · Border Force · Murtala Muhammed International Airport · National Crime Agency · National Drug Law Enforcement Agency · Paige Crisp · Qhina Beauty · Uchenna Victor Umunnakwe

Sources

Police report R200m cocaine seizure at OR Tambo [www.ebnewsdaily.co.za]
NDLEA arrests South African woman with 36.65kg cocaine [lagostelevision.com]
NDLEA Arrests South African Woman With 36.65kg Cocaine - Radio Nigeria Kaduna English [www.radionigeriakaduna.gov.ng]
NDLEA Arrests South African Woman With 36.65kg Cocaine, US-based Grandma With Cannabis [dailyreport.ng]
NDLEA Arrests South African With Cocaine, Grandma With Cannabis [glamtush.com]
NDLEA Busts Drug Network As South African Woman, US-Based Grandma Arrested [newsnowonline.com.ng]
Illicit drugs: NDLEA nabs South African woman, 62-year-old Nigerian-American grandma, others [platinumpost.news]
South African Woman, US-based Grandma Arrested With Large [theglittersonline.com.ng]
OR Tambo International Airport recent R200 million drug bust raises concern [www.bona.co.za]
NDLEA arrests South African woman, US-based grandma with cocaine, cannabis [blueprint.ng]
NDLEA arrests South African woman, US-based grandma with... [dailytrust.com]
NDLEA Arrests South African Woman With 36.65kg Cocaine, US-Based Grandma With Cannabis [www.ghanamma.com]
South African woman, US-based grandma arrested with large cocaine, loud shipments [www.lindaikejisblog.com]
Photos: S/African Woman, US-based Grandma Arrested In NDLEA Airport Raids [www.naijanews.com]
NDLEA busts South African cocaine suspect, arrests US-based grandma in Lagos [nationaldailyng.com]
NDLEA arrests South African woman with 36.65kg cocaine, Lagos car dealer [www.premiumtimesng.com]
Nigéria : une ressortissante sud-africaine arrêtée avec 36,65 kg de cocaïne à Lagos [www.pressafrik.com]
NDLEA arrests South African woman with 36.65kg cocaine, US-based grandmother with cannabis - QED.NG [www.qed.ng]
South African Held in Lagos With Cocaine [www.riotimesonline.com]
Police seize drugs worth over R9.7 million in Gqeberha [www.sanews.gov.za]
NDLEA nabs South African lady, US-based grandma over large cocaine, loud shipments [thenicheng.com]
US-Based Grandmother Arrested With 9.45kg Of Cannabis [thewhistler.ng]
NDLEA nabs S’African, US-based grandma with cocaine, loud shipments [businessday.ng]
NDLEA arrests S’African with 36.65kg cocaine at Lagos airport [punchng.com]
Five suitcases, 216 blocks, R200 million: Inside OR Tambo cocaine bust [www.thesouthafrican.com]