Brazilian woman arrested at Abuja Airport with heroin worth over N3B

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a Brazilian woman, Ingrid Rosa Benevides, for allegedly attempting to smuggle heroin valued at more than N3 billion into Nigeria.

According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the 30-year-old suspect was arrested on Friday, January 23, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja following intelligence-led operations.

Benevides arrived on Qatar Airways flight QR1431 from Brazil. During a search of her two checked-in bags, officers discovered 21 factory-sealed packs labeled as Brazilian coffee. Further inspection revealed that the packages did not contain coffee but instead held a white substance.

The drugs were later confirmed to be heroin, weighing a total of 30.09 kilograms, with an estimated street value exceeding N3 billion.

The NDLEA stated: “A total of 30.09 kilograms of white heroin concealed in factory-sealed coffee packs worth over N3 billion in street value.”

The agency added that the suspect, who works as a private security officer in Brazil, claimed during preliminary questioning that she came to Nigeria for a holiday and was unaware of the concealed consignment.