NDLEA Apprehends Woman Smuggling Cannabis Concealed In African Salad & Dried Vegetable To Qatar

In a significant bust, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a 35-year-old woman, Chidinma Chinenye Agbazue, for her involvement in an attempt to smuggle 20 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 10.70 kilograms, concealed within African salad, popularly known as Abacha, and dried vegetables. The illicit operation was intended for export to Doha, Qatar, via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos State.

The interception took place on Thursday, March 28, at Terminal 11 of MMIA, where NDLEA officers, in collaboration with personnel from the Department of State Security, thwarted Chidinma's plans during routine passenger screening for outbound flights to Doha on Qatar Airways.

Upon preliminary investigation, it was discovered that Chidinma, a resident of Qatar who had returned to Nigeria in December for Christmas celebrations, had been entrusted with the task of trafficking the contraband back to her base in Doha. She revealed that the illegal consignment was handed over to her at Club Dice Hotel in the Ikotun area of Lagos in preparation for her return journey.

The arrest underscores the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in combating drug trafficking and smuggling activities, particularly through air travel routes. NDLEA officials have reiterated their commitment to maintaining vigilance and ensuring the integrity of airport security protocols to prevent the illicit movement of narcotics across international borders.

Chidinma Chinenye Agbazue now faces legal consequences for her involvement in the attempted drug smuggling operation, as authorities continue to investigate the full extent of her network and those complicit in the illicit trade.