Will Jessica Ann was convicted after pleading guilty to drug importation and conspiracy charges following her arrest at Abuja airport, where NDLEA operatives allegedly found 14 blocks of heroin in her luggage.

A 38-year-old South African woman, Will Jessica Ann, has been sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison by the Federal High Court in Abuja for importing 5.75kg of heroin into Nigeria.

Ann was convicted after pleading guilty to two charges bordering on the importation and conspiracy to import the illicit drug.

She was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following intelligence-led surveillance.

According to the NDLEA, operatives discovered 14 large blocks of heroin allegedly concealed inside her luggage during the operation.

The agency further alleged that Ann attempted to use her three-year-old son as a cover while travelling with the consignment, in an effort to avoid drawing the attention of security personnel.

Linked to international drug trafficking network

The NDLEA said its investigation revealed that Ann was allegedly connected to a transnational drug trafficking organisation operating along the Cambodia-South Africa route.

The agency also disclosed that Ann's husband or partner, who is reportedly based in Cambodia, was arrested in Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 27, 2026.

He was allegedly arrested while attempting to traffic 3.2kg of illicit drugs to Hong Kong, according to the NDLEA.

Following her arrest in Abuja, Ann was brought before Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

She faced two counts: one relating to the importation of 5.75kg of heroin and another relating to conspiracy to import the same quantity.

40-year sentence

After she pleaded guilty to the charges, the court sentenced Ann to 15 years imprisonment on the first count and 25 years on the second count.

The court, however, ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning they will be served at the same time.

The conviction adds to the NDLEA's ongoing efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks using Nigeria as a transit or destination point.

The agency has continued to intensify interdiction operations at airports, seaports, borders and other entry points as part of efforts to prevent the movement of illicit drugs into and through the country.