The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a massive shipment of heroin weighing 30kg. The illicit cargo was cleverly concealed within packs of high-end coffee at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
During the operation, which took place today, Sunday, 25 January 2026, a Brazilian national was arrested in connection with the shipment, highlighting the continued use of Nigeria as a transit point for South American narcotics.
NDLEA operatives, acting on intelligence and utilizing advanced scanning technology, identified the shipment arriving from São Paulo via Addis Ababa.
The heroin was vacuum-sealed and inserted into authentic-looking coffee packaging to mask the scent and appearance of the drugs.
At 30kg, this represents one of the largest single-airport heroin seizures of the year, with an estimated street value in the hundreds of millions of Naira.
The Brazilian suspect, whose identity is being withheld pending further investigation, was intercepted while attempting to clear the luggage. He is reportedly cooperating with authorities to identify the local “receivers” of the cargo.
The seizure is being hailed as a success for the NDLEA’s new “Digital Border” initiative, which was launched in late 2025 to modernize Nigerian port security.
The agency has increasingly relied on AI-powered scanners that can detect anomalies in molecular density, making “organic concealment” (like hiding drugs in coffee or chocolate) much harder to pull off.
The NDLEA also confirmed they are working closely with the Brazilian Federal Police and Interpol to dismantle the transnational network behind this specific route.
Major Drug Seizures at MMIA (January 2026)
| Date | Substance | Weight | Concealment Method | Origin |
| Jan 10 | Cocaine | 12kg | False Bottom Suitcase | Brazil |
| Jan 18 | Meth | 5kg | Food Seasoning Packs | South Africa |
| Jan 25 | Heroin | 30kg | Coffee Packs | Brazil |
