Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested an Indian national, Neetu Neetu, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, with 72 parcels of heroin factory-sealed in wafer wraps and packaged as chocolates.

The NDLEA reported that the drugs weighed 11 kilograms and were discovered in Neetu’s luggage following a search. Intelligence reports indicated that Neetu owned the drugs and arrived on Qatar Airways flight QR1431 from Bangkok, Thailand, via Vietnam and Doha, at the Kano airport arrival hall on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, made this known to the press.

Babafemi disclosed that Neetu’s arrest signifies a growing attempt by drug trafficking organizations to hire white ladies and foreign nationals to transport illicit drugs through Nigerian borders.

He stated that vigilant NDLEA operatives have consistently thwarted these attempts with the aid of modern technological tools and proactive intelligence, quoting the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), in his reaction to Neetu’s arrest.

In recent times, foreign nationals—especially women—are increasingly being used as “mules” to smuggle drugs into Nigeria.

In February, operatives of the agency arrested a Thai lady, Ms Pattaphi Wimonnat, who was promised $3,000 for trafficking drugs weighing up to 46.60 kilograms into Nigeria.