The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 38-year-old South African woman, Will Jessica Ann, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 5.75 kilograms of heroin into Nigeria through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, the suspect was arrested on July 6 during the arrival clearance of passengers aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR1433 from Doha. She was travelling with her three-year-old son.
Babafemi said NDLEA operatives recovered 14 large blocks of heroin concealed in two suitcases belonging to the suspect.
He explained that the woman initially denied travelling with any checked baggage. However, further checks revealed that the luggage tags on the suitcases matched the baggage claim tags attached to her passport.
According to the statement, the suspect later admitted ownership of the bags after being confronted with the evidence, claiming she had forgotten that she checked in the luggage.
The agency said the suspect told investigators she travelled from Cambodia through Doha to Abuja.
NDLEA further disclosed that intelligence reports linked the suspect and her husband, identified as Jan Coenraad De Jager, to a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Cambodia–South Africa route.
The agency said investigations into the case are ongoing.
