The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised the alarm over the growing involvement of South African nationals in drug trafficking networks operating in Nigeria.

The agency said South African nationals are increasingly facilitating the movement of illicit drugs through the country to other parts of the world.

Speaking at a joint security briefing in Abuja, NDLEA Assistant Director of Media and Advocacy, Francis Okogun, disclosed that three South Africans had been arrested with large quantities of heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis.

He noted that the individuals are suspected of working on behalf of international drug cartels.

“Our findings indicate that some foreign nationals are increasingly becoming involved in facilitating the movement of illicit drugs through Nigeria to other parts of the world. Some are also involved in bringing such substances into the country,” Okogun said.

The NDLEA official added that the agency is conducting thorough investigations to establish the destinations of the seized drugs and identify the cartels behind the shipments.

Recent cases include the arrest of a South African woman at Port Harcourt International Airport with over 32 kilogrammes of synthetic cannabis, and another at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with several kilogrammes of heroin.