The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) apprehended a 27-year-old woman attempting to board a flight to Iran with cocaine concealed in her body and luggage at Port Harcourt International Airport on May 3, 2025. The arrest, a significant breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking, highlights the agency’s intensified efforts to curb the smuggling of illicit substances through the country’s airports.
The suspect, identified during routine screening at the airport’s departure lounge, was flagged by NDLEA operatives using advanced scanning technology. A subsequent search revealed 1.2 kilograms of cocaine hidden in specially designed compartments within her handbag and shoes. Further investigation, including a medical examination, confirmed that she had ingested additional cocaine pellets, which were later expelled under supervision. The total quantity seized was estimated to have a street value of over N150 million, marking one of the largest single seizures at the airport in 2025.
NDLEA’s preliminary findings suggest the woman was part of an international drug syndicate operating between Nigeria, West Africa, and the Middle East. She reportedly confessed to being recruited by a handler in Lagos, who promised her $5,000 to deliver the drugs to Tehran. The agency has launched a manhunt for the syndicate’s ringleaders, using intelligence from the suspect’s phone and travel records to trace the network. The arrest underscores the growing use of Nigeria’s airports as transit points for drugs destined for Asia and Europe, driven by high profit margins and demand.
The NDLEA has intensified its operations at Port Harcourt and other airports, deploying body scanners and sniffer dogs to detect concealed drugs. In 2024, the agency intercepted over 3 tons of illicit substances nationwide, with 40% of seizures occurring at airports. The Port Harcourt airport has emerged as a key hub for traffickers, prompting increased collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority and international partners like the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The agency’s chairman has vowed to dismantle cartels, emphasizing that no trafficker will be spared, regardless of their tactics.
The suspect faces charges under the NDLEA Act, with a potential 15-year prison sentence if convicted. Her arrest has sparked calls for stronger border controls and public awareness campaigns to deter young Nigerians from being lured into drug trafficking. Community leaders have urged the government to address unemployment and poverty, which traffickers exploit to recruit couriers. As the NDLEA continues its crackdown, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in securing Nigeria’s gateways against the global drug trade.