Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Chinese woman at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos for attempting to import a large consignment of illicit drugs into Nigeria.
The suspect, identified as Ms. Li Wei, aged 34, was intercepted during routine screening of passengers arriving on an international flight from Bangkok, Thailand. NDLEA officers discovered a significant quantity of methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs cleverly concealed in her checked luggage and personal effects.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the total weight of the seized substances exceeds 15 kilograms, with a street value estimated at over ₦850 million. The drugs were packaged in vacuum-sealed parcels hidden within clothing items and electronic gadgets.
The NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended the vigilance of the airport command team, describing the arrest as another successful blow to international drug trafficking syndicates targeting Nigeria as a transit and destination hub.
“This arrest underscores our commitment to tightening security at all entry points and disrupting the activities of foreign nationals who seek to undermine Nigeria’s drug control efforts. We will not allow our country to become a safe haven for international drug cartels. The suspect will be charged in court and made to face the full wrath of the law,” Marwa stated.
Ms. Li Wei is currently in NDLEA custody and is assisting investigators in tracing the source and intended recipients of the consignment. Further arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
The NDLEA reiterates its zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking and urges all travelers to avoid being used as conduits for illicit substances. The Agency continues to collaborate with international partners, including the China National Narcotics Control Commission and INTERPOL, to combat transnational drug crime.